Trapezio-metacarpal (TM) joint arthritis is a common cause of pain and functional disability of the hand. The ideal surgical procedure for TM joint osteoarthritis is still controversial. The aim of the current study is to assess the outcome of complete trapezial excision and abductor pollicis longus tendon interposition arthroplasty in the treatment of TM osteoarthritis.
Twenty patients (16 women and 4 men) were prospectively enrolled in the current study with average age of 51.5 years (36-64). All patients had complete trapezial excision and abductor pollicis longus tendon interposition arthroplasty with minimum follow-up of 24 months.
At final follow-up there was significant improvement as regard pain, range of motion, and functional assessment scores. Pre-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain improved from 6.2 (±1.54) to 1.1 (±0.97), and the average Quick DASH Score improved from 47.6 (±8.81) points pre-operatively to 13.6 (±5.46) points post-operatively. The mean pre-operative Buck-Gramcko score system improved from 21 (±6.2) points to 41.5 (±7). The average post-operative satisfaction score was 9.1(±2.1), with all the patients somewhat satisfied and recommending operation to other patients.
The total trapeziectomy tendinoplasty with suspension and interposition using the abductor pollicis longus is a reliable procedure for the treatment of TMJ osteoarthritis, providing satisfactory functional results.