Interpositional arthroplasty with Gore-Tex, Marlex or tendon for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint. A retrospective comparative study.

In this retrospective study of 26 patients with arthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint, we report the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) (Gore-Tex) and polypropylene (Marlex) as interpositional materials for resection arthroplasty of the trapeziometacarpal joint. We have compared the results with those of "conventional" tendon interposition and those in the literature. In three patients the use of ePTFE (Gore-Tex) was complicated by marked clinical synovitis, resembling findings in silicone synovitis. Therefore, the use of ePTFE has been discontinued. Polypropylene seems to be a valuable alternative to tendon interposition arthroplasty.