Osteoarthritis of the trapezio-metacarpal joint. Results of treatment with a silicone cap implant.

The results of surgical treatment for arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint using Kessler's silicone implant were examined in a group of 23 patients. The mean follow-up period was 24 months. Pain relief was obtained in 18 patients (78 per cent), functional improvement in daily activities in 16 patients, and power of pinch and power of grasp were improved in 10 out of 13 patients. Limitation of abduction complicated surgery in 6 patients. A high incidence of subluxation was found without correlation to the subjective results. Most of our patients were satisfied with the functional end results.