Arthrodesis for Eaton-Littler stage III degenerative trapeziometacarpal arthritis: a retrospective comparative study of fixation methods
- Author:
Jun-Ku LEE
1
;
Chi-Hoon OH
;
Woo Yeol AHN
;
Sung Woo LEE
;
Seungyeon KANG
;
Soo-Hong HAN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From: Archives of hand and microsurgery 2024;29(2):96-104
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study compared clinical outcomes depending on the fixation modality in patients who underwent arthrodesis surgery for Eaton-Littler stage III trapeziometacarpal (TM) joint arthritis between 2009 and 2022.
Methods:In total, 39 patients with 44 hands (five patients had surgery on both hands) were selected. Depending on the operative fixation instruments, patients were divided into two groups: group 1, surgery with 25-gauge interosseous wiring and Kirschner wire or headless screw fixation; group 2, surgery with only multiple headless screws for fixation. Bone union was achieved at 62 days after surgery in group 1 and 75 days in group 2 (p=0.165).
Results:The preoperative mean visual analogue scores improved during the postoperative outpatient follow-up period in both groups (group 1, from 4.0 preoperatively to 1.0 at the final follow-up; group 2, from 5.0 preoperatively to 2.0 at the final follow-up). Mean grip strength and pinch strength increased after surgery. One patient (4.8%) experienced nonunion in group 1, whereas nonunion occurred in four patients (17.4%) in group 2. This difference was not statistically significant. Four patients in group 1 and no patients in group 2 underwent fixation instrument removal after sound union.
Conclusion:Adequate stability can be achieved during arthrodesis by combining interosseous wiring and other implants or multiple headless compression screws, resulting in successful outcomes for patients with Eaton-Littler stage III degenerative TM arthritis.
