[Results of basal joint arthrosis treatment with trapezectomy and Epping suspension-plasty. Clinical follow-up].

Advanced osteoarthrosis of the trapeziometacarpal joint is usually accompanied by subluxation of the base of the first metacarpal, which is due to an instability of the first intermetacarpal ligaments. The repair of these ligaments is, therefore, of fundamental importance. In this way, instability and also proximalization of the thumb can be prevented while function is restored. Suspension arthroplasty using the Epping technique is one of the possible surgical options. It has been practised at the Cantonal Hospital in St. Gall (Switzerland) since the end of 1987. In this paper, the results of 51 arthroplasties in 49 patients with osteoarthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint followed up for 32 months after operation are presented. An analysis of the results using both objective and subjective criteria shows that trapezectomy and suspension arthroplasty by Epping's method were able to eliminate or significantly reduce pain in a large majority of the patients. Furthermore, the function of the hand, which had been severely limited before the operation, was almost completely restored. Possible aetiologies of osteoarthrosis of the trapeziometacarpal joint and different therapies are discussed.