Trapeziectomy and ligament reconstruction tendon interposition for isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid osteoarthritis of the wrist

Abstract

Isolated osteoarthritis of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint is rather rare compared with thumb trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of 15 consecutive patients treated with trapeziectomy/ligament reconstruction tendon interposition for isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid osteoarthritis of the wrist. After a mean follow-up of 54 months, 14 patients (15 wrists) were available for clinical and radiological examination. The median pain intensity was 0 on a 0–10 visual analogue scale, both at rest and with activity, mean grip strength averaged 24 kg, pinch strength 5 kg. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score was 16, and a modified Mayo Wrist Score 84. Correlation between the degree of scaphotrapezoid osteoarthritis and pain at rest, pain with activity, and DASH score was not significant. The findings from our study suggest that trapeziectomy/ligament reconstruction tendon interposition is an effective procedure for treating isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid osteoarthritis, and that additional partial trapezoid excision is not necessary.