The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is a common site of
degenerative arthritis. Several surgical treatments exist, but arthroscopic management offers the potential benefit of earlier recovery. The current study evaluated the early clinical outcomes of a procedure involving arthroscopic hemitrapeziectomy with
Artelon spacer (Artimplant, Västra Frölunda, Sweden) interposition
arthroplasty into the newly created carpometacarpal space.A chart review of 9 patients treated with thumb carpometacarpal arthroscopic hemitrapeziectomy and
Artelon spacer interposition
arthroplasty between September 2005 and January 2009 was performed for postoperative complications, range of motion, and pinch strength (percentage of the contralateral limb). Subjective outcomes were analyzed by the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire and the Patient-rated Wrist Evaluation. Mean follow-up was 23.4 months (range, 13-33 months). All patients maintained full range of motion. By the 1-year follow-up, mean pinch strength returned to 59%± 19.1% of the contralateral limb strength. The Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and the Patient-rated Wrist Evaluation scores were 12.3 ± 7.6 and 26.8 ± 23.5, respectively. No significant complications occurred, and 1 patient with symptoms of
synovitis was successfully treated with a
corticosteroid injection. This study revealed excellent short-term results at the minimum 1-year follow-up for a less invasive treatment option that is appropriate for select patients with moderate thumb carpometacarpal
arthritis (Eaton stages 2 and 3). The authors demonstrated a comparably good outcome of arthroscopic hemitrapeziectomy with
Artelon spacer interposition
arthroplasty with no evidence of
foreign-body reaction. The authors also demonstrated the potential role of
corticosteroid injections in the setting of a postoperative inflammatory reaction.