Interposition and Suspension Arthroplasty of Carpometacarpal Joint of the Thumb Using the TIE-IN Implant

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDYThe aim of the study was to present the surgical technique combining the interposition and suspension arthroplasty using the TIE-IN implant as a treatment option for advanced symptomatic to final stage rhizarthrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODSSince 2015 we have performed the interposition arthroplasty combined with suspension arthroplasty using the TIE-IN implant in 12 patients, mostly indicated for stage IV rhizarthrosis. In two cases stage III rhizarthrosis with concomitant trapezium destruction was present. In two other cases the patients suffered from secondary osteoarthrosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Pain under loads was present in all the patients, of whom in 10 patients also the pain at rest occurred. Preoperatively, a total of 10 patients showed subluxation of the first carpometacarpal joint of 50% of the articular surface width. The ratio between the dominant and non-dominant extremity was 1:1. As a part of the evaluation, correlation was established between the preoperative findings and the postoperative results at 3 months follow-up. The examination included the assessment of pain intensity by VAS scale, the range of motion measurement -by Kapandji thumb opposition test, handgrip strength test and functional evaluation using the scoring systems -DASH score, modified DASH score for thumb, and modified Wrightington score.