Simple trapeziectomy for thumb basal joint arthrosis. Forty-four thumbs re-reviewed after 7.5 years.

Background: Due to favorable results in the literature we changed our standard procedure in 2010 from trapeziectomy with LRTI to simple trapeziectomy for thumb basal joint arthrosis. A review of 49 operated hands after two years showed good results, similar to those we had obtained after LRTI. Objective: We have now re-reviewed these patients to see if the good results persist over time. Methods: All patients from the earlier study were contacted and 40 patients with 44 operated thumbs were re-reviewed after a mean of 7.5 years. Results: The mean pain score (0-100) was 14 (SD:22) compared to 18 (25) at the earlier review. There was no significant change in ability to perform ADL activities between reviews. Mean VAS (0-100) for clumsiness fell significantly between early and late review (67 (SD:18) versus 45(27); p ​< ​0.019), although clumsiness was reported by an increased number of patients. VAS for general satisfaction had improved from 23 (SD:28) to 13 (22) between reviews (p ​< ​0.01). The mean QuickDASH and PRWHE scores were practically unchanged. There was significantly improved thumb abduction and ulnar/radial deviation at the wrist. There was a significant reduction in power grip and key pinch in both the operated and the contralateral un-operated hands compared to the earlier review. Radiographs showed a slightly reduced mean distance between the first metacarpal and the scaphoid. Conclusion: We conclude that the good results after simple trapeziectomy persist.