LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION AND TENDON INTERPOSITION ARTHROPLASTY WITH SUTURE ANCHOR IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CARPOMETACARPAL JOINT ARTHRITIS OF THE THUMB

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to report the clinical, functional, and radiological results of patients after early rehabilitation (<2 weeks) following surgical treatment for thumb carpometacarpal joint arthrosis using the ligament reconstruction and flexor carpi radialis tendon interposition with trapezoid suture anchor fixation technique. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 13 thumbs of 12 patients (2 males, 10 females; mean age 63.7 years) who were operated on with the ligament reconstruction and flexor carpi radialis tendon interposition with trapezoid suture anchor fixation technique, because of thumb carpometacarpal joint arthrosis between April 2016 and November 2022. At the final follow-up examination, a record was made of the demographic data, scapho-metacarpal space on the radiological evaluation, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scale score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, and key pinch, tip pinch, and grip strength measurements. Results: The mean follow-up period was 36.3 months (range, 12-80 months). In the mean radiological follow-up period of 11.8 months (range, 5-22 months), the mean VAS score decreased from 7.1 (range, 5-10) to 1.7 (range, 1-3), and the mean DASH score from 75.8 (range, 54-90) to 18.2 (range, 7 -32). No significant decrease was determined in the scapho-metacarpal space during the follow-up period. At the final follow-up examination, grip strength was measured as mean 28.7kg (range, 24-39kg), key pinch strength as 2.82kg (range, 2-3.7kg) and tip pinch strength as 2.5kg (range, 1.8-3.4kg). Conclusion: Ligament reconstruction and flexor carpi radialis tendon interposition with trapezoid suture anchor fixation can be an effective alternative surgical treatment method for thumb carpometacarpal joint arthrosis in respect of both clinical and functional results.