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Dislocation of the trapeziometacarpal joint is a rare injury. We report an unusual pattern of dorsal dislocation of the trapeziometacarpal joint with an avulsion fracture of the dorsoradial tubercle of the trapezium. Simultaneous ligament rupture with an avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint was associated. The trapeziometacarpal joint was reduced and disrupted ligaments with avulsed fragments of both joints were surgically repaired.

Reports describing trapeziometacarpal joint fractures of the thumb have discussed Bennett's fracture or Rolando's fracture primarily. We report a patient with an unusual fracture which could not be classified as a Bennett's-type or Rolando's-type injury. The aetiology of the fracture pattern is proposed and treatment considerations are discussed.

Thumb motion and stability were examined after sequential division of support ligaments of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) to simulate the pathologic condition of ligament laxity. The motion obtained with passive circumduction was measured with a magnetic tracking system. The lengths of the TMC joint ligaments were approximated by measuring the distance between origin and insertion of each ligament. The change in this apparent interorigin distance of the ligaments was measured before and after ligament sectioning. The anterior oblique ligament (AOL) and the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) had the greatest effect on TMC joint stability during circumduction of the thumb. Division of the first intermetacarpal ligament (IML) did not produce a change in apparent length of other ligaments. We conclude that small changes in ligament length affect thumb stability and alter the path of circumduction. Neither the IML or posterior oblique ligaments were major stabilizers of the TMC joint during circumduction, prehensile grasp, or tip pinch. Reconstruction of the AOL and UCL ligaments should be considered for treatment of the initial stages of TMC instability.

Background: Zancolli theorized that the first metacarpal bone axially rotates on the semispheroidal part of the trapezium, which is controlled by ligaments. This study used three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) to describe the motion of the first metacarpal bone on the trapezium.

Methods: 3D-CT images were taken of the left hand of 30 healthy volunteers (mean age $\text{40}\text{.0 ± 5}\text{.4}$ years, 15 men and 15 women). They were divided into five groups: radial abduction, retroposition, adduction, palmar abduction, and opposition. The range of motion of radial abduction and palmar abduction of the trapeziometacarpal joint was measured from the first metacarpal bone to the second metacarpal bone. The range of motion of pronation was measured following Cheema's method. The main contacts of the joint surface of trapezium and the first metacarpal bone were determined on the 3D-CT images.

Results: Pronation of the trapeziometacarpal joint was $\text{42 ± 9°}$ in radial abduction, $\text{61 ± 6°}$ in retroposition, $\text{68 ± 6°}$ in adduction, $\text{91 ± 6°}$ in palmar abduction, and $\text{99 ± 3°}$ in opposition. Radial abduction was $\text{40 ± 7°}$ in radial abduction, $\text{17 ± 10°}$ in retroposition, $\text{15 ± 7°}$ in adduction, $\text{13 ± 6°}$ in palmar abduction, and $\text{-4 ± 3°}$ in opposition. Palmar abduction was $\text{-8 ± 8°}$ in radial abduction, $\text{0 ± 3°}$ in retroposition, $\text{14 ± 6°}$ in adduction, $\text{40 ± 7°}$ in palmar abduction, and $\text{37 ± 5°}$ in opposition. The contact surfaces of the trapezium and the first metacarpal bone were dorsal and ulnar in radial abduction, radial and ulnar in retroposition, and volar-ulnar and volarradial in opposition, respectively, while they were both central in adduction and both radial in palmar abduction.

Conclusions: The range of motion of the trapeziometacarpal joint was 44° for radial abduction/adduction, 48° for palmar abduction/adduction, and 57° for pronation/supination. The varying contact surfaces of the trapezium and the first metacarpal bone enabled a wide range of motion.

Background: The trapeziometacarpal joint is the second most common site of osteoarthritis in the hand and the most frequent one to require surgery. Arthrodesis of the trapeziometacarpal joint is recognized as one of the valuable technique but unfortunately there has been wide variation in the union rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new arthrodesis technique involving a cross-shaped bone graft and locking plate fixation.

Methods: Eleven male patients diagnosed as Eaton’s stage III osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal join were treated in our institute. The mean patient age was 62 years (range 50 to 80 years). At the day after surgery, physical therapy was started and free use of the hand was permitted.

Results: Patients showed radiographic evidence of trapeziometacarpal joint union after an average postoperative period of 8.3 weeks (range 6–12 weeks). The VAS pain score significantly decreased from 7.2 points preoperatively to 0.4 points after surgery. Mean side pinch strength increased significantly from 3.8 kg (53% compared to unaffected side) prior to surgery to 6.2 kg (86%). The DASH score improved from 38.6 (range 34.1–43.2) preoperatively to 17.0 (6.8–22.7) postoperatively.

Conclusions: These data suggested that our technique is a successful procedure for the trapeziometacarpal joint arthrodesis. Cross-shaped bone grafts have the advantages of restoring thumb length and providing internal stabilization, especially for rotational force. No complications arose at the bone harvest site of the iliac crest. The procedure seems to be technically demanding, particularly for adapting the bone graft to perfectly match the shape of the defect.

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to report and compare the outcomes of the MAIA^® prosthesis and trapeziectomy for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis.

Methods: We included 92 consecutive patients (8 men, 84 women) with a mean age of 57 years (range 44–75 years) who underwent trapeziectomy (44 patients) or trapeziometacarpal joint replacement with a MAIA^® prosthesis (48 patients) for painful osteoarthritis. All patients were evaluated (pain, range of motion, strength, function, X-rays) by an independent examiner.

Results: The two groups of patients had comparable preoperative characteristics. At the mean follow-up of 9 years (range: 8–10), we found a significant reduction in pain levels for each group. In the final data review, there were no significant differences in terms of pain levels, grip strength, thumb active motion and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score between the two groups. Pinch strength and the work performance score on the Michigan Hand Questionnaire were significantly better in the MAIA^® prosthesis group. The MAIA^® group had a shorter postoperative recovery time of 6 weeks and fewer patients required physiotherapy. Postoperatively, the thumb column length was significantly less in the trapeziectomy group. In this group, we found a significant decrease in the trapezial cavity height between the immediate postoperative evaluation and the final assessment, with three patients having painful scaphometacarpal impingement. Two patients required surgical revision for symptomatic meta-carpophalangeal joint hyperextension. In the MAIA^® group, we found no implant subsidence, loosening, dislocation or fracture. None of the implants were revised.

Conclusions: From this study, we found that the both procedures can be used as a surgical treatment for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. The MAIA^® prosthesis is a useful alternative to trapeziectomy and appears to be a reliable and effective implant in the medium- to long-term.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthrodesis with multiple Kirschner (K)-wires and tension band wire for primary osteoarthritis of trapeziometacarpal (TM) joint in female patients aged 40 years or older.

Methods: We retrospectively obtained data regarding all female patients 40 years or older who underwent TM joint arthrodesis for TM joint osteoarthritis with K-wires and tension band wire over a 10-year period from 2009 till 2019. Thumb length, active range of motion (ROM) at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, active ROM of radial and volar adduction and abduction and key pinch strength was measured. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using a pain and satisfaction questionnaire and the DASH score. We also recorded postoperative complications.

Results: The study included 60 thumbs in 49 patients with an average age 60 years and a mean follow-up of 40 ± 21 months. All but one thumb had radiographic evidence of fusion within 6 months and the union rate was 98%. Key pinch strength increased from 2.3 to 4.9 kg after surgery. Total arc of motion in radial adduction–abduction decreased from 16° to 10°. Total arc of motion in volar adduction–abduction decreased from 25° to 9°. One patient experienced attritional rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon attributed to a K-wire penetration into the carpal tunnel. Although 46 thumbs (77%) had no or mild hardware-related symptoms, they underwent hardware removal after solid bone union. In 23 thumbs with follow-up period longer than 48 months, two thumbs developed scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint arthritis and two thumbs developed metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis.

Conclusions: We found that arthrodesis with multiple K-wires and tension band wire is a valuable option in the management of trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis in female patients aged 40 years or older.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)

Background: Functional outcomes of patients who underwent arthroscopy-assisted surgery for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis were reported.

Methods: We included 24 consecutive patients (6 males and 18 females) who underwent surgery and postoperative hand therapy at our hospital between April 2012 and March 2018. For functional evaluation, we used the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT), grip and pinch strength, range of motion of the thumb, visual analogue scale (VAS) for thumb pain, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) and Japanese version of the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE-J) preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.

Results: The mean PPT rating improved from 12.3 to 13.3, the VAS score from 51 to 16, the QuickDASH score from 48 to 30 and the PRWE-J score from 55 to 29. All the improvements were statistically significant. There was a moderate positive correlation between the magnitude of improvement in PPT and QuickDASH scores.

Conclusions: Arthroscopic intervention and associated hand therapy were effective in achieving early postoperative relief of thumb pain and in improving hand dexterity and activities of daily living.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)

Background: Dual mobility total joint arthroplasty is gaining popularity for trapeziometacarpal joint (TMCJ) arthritis, with evolving indications, surgical technique and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to obtain detailed insight into the variations in indications, surgical technique and rehabilitation for TMCJ arthroplasty with dual mobility implants, across a large international cohort of surgeons. The secondary aim was to analyse if there were differences in TMCJ arthroplasty between highly and less experienced surgeons.

Methods: An anonymised online survey was developed and distributed to the international hand surgery community of surgeons performing TMCJ arthroplasty. Responses were summarised, and a sub-analysis comparing indications, contra-indications, surgical technique, implant placement, rehabilitation and complications between highly and less experienced surgeons was performed.

Results: Of the 203 included respondents, 59 were considered highly experienced. Most respondents perform TMCJ arthroplasty under regional anaesthesia (84%), via a dorsolateral approach (78%) and with image-guidance for cup placement (84%). However, there is considerable variation in handling of scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) arthritis, cup positioning landmarks, postoperative immobilisation, first extensor compartment release and revision techniques. Highly experienced surgeons performed TMCJ arthroplasty for a larger proportion of their patients undergoing surgery for TMCJ arthritis, and a trapezium smaller than 8 mm or STT-OA was less frequently considered a contra-indication. Highly experienced surgeons preferred freehand osteotomy of the metacarpal and allowed office workers to return to work earlier.

Conclusions: This survey shows that there is considerable variation in (contra)indications, surgical technique and rehabilitation amongst surgeons performing TMCJ arthroplasty, but only a few differences between highly and less experienced surgeons were identified. This data provides a reference for surgeons who want to familiarise themselves with increasingly popular procedure and may help surgeons already performing TMCJ arthroplasty to identify potential topics for future research to optimise its outcome.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)