Eaton and Littler Ligament Reconstruction for the Painful first Carpometacarpal Joint : Patient satisfaction.

The ligamentous reconstruction according to Eaton and Littler (7) was designed to restore the stability of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. We evaluated the patients' satisfaction after an Eaton and Littler-procedure as well as possible risk factors in the development of thumb basal joint instability. A retrospective chart review and clinical assessment or telephone survey are executed in 33 patients, with a mean follow-up of 7 years. Only 45% of the patients were satisfied. Within the group of clinical assessed patients, there were significant differences in thumb function comparing operated with not operated side. Overall joint hypermobility can be a contributing factor for this thumb basal joint instability, but has no effect on the outcome after an Eaton-Littler procedure.