Chronological changes in surgical outcomes after trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition arthroplasty for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND

Despite satisfactory mid-term and long-term outcomes of trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) procedures for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, there is limited literature describing detailed chronological changes in early-phase postoperative outcomes. We investigated chronological changes of subjective, objective, and radiological outcomes within 1 year post-trapeziectomy with LRTI using a longitudinal evaluation and analyzed clinical factors associated with patient-reported subjective outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS

Some parameters influence patient-reported subjective outcomes during the early postoperative period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients (mean age, 67.3 years) who underwent trapeziectomy with LRTI were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively to investigate objective (grip strength, pinch strength, range of motion [ROM] of the interphalangeal [IP] joint, metacarpophalangeal [MP] joint, and carpometacarpal [CMC] joint, Kapandji score), subjective (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [DASH] score, Hand20 questionnaire score, and visual analog scale [VAS] for pain), and radiological outcomes (trapezial space height and its ratio). Factors affecting DASH and Hand20 scores were analyzed.

RESULTS

Grip strength and pinch strength were decreased at 3-month follow-up. It required 6 months to recover preoperative strength and 12 months for significant improvement. VAS for pain, DASH, and Hand20 scores were significantly improved at 3-month follow-up, continuing to improve until 12 months. The trapezial space height and its ratio decreased approximately 50% at 3-month follow-up, with no further changes at 6 or 12 months. Both DASH and Hand20 scores were strongly correlated with VAS for pain during activity within 6 months post-surgery and moderately correlated with ROM of the thumb at 3 months post-surgery; however, they were not correlated with grip and pinch strength as well as the trapezial space height ratio within 12 months post-surgery.

DISCUSSION

Trapeziectomy with LRTI for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis provided early subjective improvements in outcomes as early as 3 months post-procedure. However, more than 6 months are required to determine objective improvements in outcomes. To obtain early patient-reported satisfactory outcomes, we should focus not on improving hand and finger strength, but on treating postoperative surgical site pain and preventing thumb stiffness.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective therapeutic study.