Osteoarthritis describes the degeneration of articular cartilage. Trapeziometacarpal joint is the second most commonly affected place in the hand.
To evaluate the clinical-functional results and the degree of personal satisfaction after dynamic suspension arthroplasty in patients diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint.
Prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study. Twenty five patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint and treated with dynamic suspension arthroplasty were studied. The clinical-functional state of the thumb was evaluated by means of the DASH questionnaire.
Females were highly predominant (92%), mean age: 62.9 +/- 10.7, housewifes (44%), most affected right thumb (40%), operated right thumbs (56%), left thumbs (44%). Follow-up period: 3 years. Preoperative DASH average 61.7 points +/- 14.0 and postoperative DASH average 31.9 +/- 13.8. The surgery reduced grip and pinch strength for the operated hand but this difference was not statistically significant.
Dynamic suspension arthroplasty constitutes an excellent surgical alternative for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis due it eliminates pain, preserves mobility, stability and offers a high degree of personal satisfaction.