Results of scaphotrapeziotrapezoid fusion for isolated idiopathic arthritis.

Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) joint fusion was carried out for pain relief in eight patients with isolated arthritis. Seven patients had satisfactory relief of symptoms. The subjective results were excellent in five, good in two and bad in one patient, who had non-union of the arthrodesis and was also the only patient to develop trapeziometacarpal arthritis. Average grip strength was 0.8 and lateral pinch strength was 0.7 of that in the other hand. There was a very small relative difference in dexterity. There was an average difference of 9 degrees of flexion-extension and 13 degrees of radio-ulnar deviation. It is concluded that for isolated idiopathic STT arthritis, fusion gives very satisfactory results with minimal complications.