Prospective functional analysis of trapeziectomy combined with intermetacarpal tendon stabilisation in trapeziometacarpal arthritis.

We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the functional status of patients surgically treated by trapeziectomy with intermetacarpal tendon stabilisation. Pain relief, the height of the trapezial cavity, hand impairment, and manual ability were measured in a group of 18 patients at a mean of 2.3 years after surgery. Complete relief of pain was achieved in 89% of our patients. The height of the trapezial cavity was significantly reduced. Hand strength and digital dexterity were not impaired after the operation. Manual ability was significantly improved by the trapeziectomy as demonstrated by the median VAS values of 53.5 before and 95.5 after surgery. The ABILHAND questionnaire revealed that most of the patients were satisfied with the functional results of the trapeziectomy. Based on our findings in this prospective study, it appears that trapeziectomy with intermetacarpal tendon stabilisation relieved pain in almost 90% of patients suffering from trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, at no functional cost.