A comparison of fusion, trapeziectomy and silastic replacement for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint

This retrospective study compares three of surgical treatments for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint of the thumb. We assessed the outcomes of a total of 83 operations at a follow-up of between 1 and 5 years. The types of treatment were, fusion of the carpometacarpal joint (36 operations), excision of the trapezium with or without a sling ligament reconstruction (25 operations), and silastic trapezial replacement (22 operations). Assessments included patient satisfaction, pain measurement, range of movement, tip and key pinch, and complication rates. There were no significant differences between the clinical outcome of the treatments, though there was higher rate of complications and reoperation in the fusion group.