Compression arthrodesis of the thumb.

A retrospective study of all patients who had undergone thumb arthrodeses at the Denver Orthopedic Clinic since 1972 was undertaken to determine the incidence of satisfactory results with the Micks External Compression Fixator. Sixty-six patients underwent 82 metacarpophalangeal or interphalangeal arthrodeses that resulted in bony fusion in 81 cases. Indications for surgery included pain, instability, and collapse-type thumb deformity. Complications in the 81 successful cases included three that required a second procedure, one for nonunion and two for loss of position. There were eight cases of pin track drainage that cleared with removal of the device and did not adversely influence the outcome. Joints arthrodesed with external compression formed bony union in approximately half the time required for bony unions with Kirschner wire fixation. The fused position of either metacarpophalangeal or interphalangeal joints did not influence patient satisfaction, and all patients were satisfied with their surgery and demonstrated satisfactory use of the thumb.