Silicone Arthroplasty for Trapeziometacarpal Arthritis

Abstract

Twenty-three patients who had undergone trapeziectomy and Helal silicone rubber ball interposition for trapeziometacarpal arthritis were reviewed. The average age at operation was 63 (range 48–84) years and the mean follow-up was 59 (range 12–138) months. Of the 23 patients reviewed, two had pain at rest and four had some discomfort on exertion. Mean post-operative thumb extension was 37° whilst mean palmar abduction was 40°. Mean post-operative grip strength was 19 kg and thumb-pinch strength was 4.0 kg, 77% and 78% of the age- and sex-matched normal values. There were no cases of prosthetic dislocation, prosthetic fracture or silicone synovitis.