Abstract
It has been hypothesized that instability of the thumb trapeziometacarpal joint is
a major factor in the etiology of degenerative disease. Theoretically, surgically
stabilized joints should be subject to less shear force and, hence, will be less likely
to develop degenerative changes. The long-term results of volar ligament reconstruction
were assessed in 19 patients (24 thumbs). The average age at surgery was 33 years
(range, 18–55 years). Twenty-three thumbs were radiographic stage I; a preoperative
x-ray was not available in 1. The follow-up period averaged 15 years (range, 10–23
years). At the final follow-up visit 15 thumbs were stage I, 7 were stage II, and
2 were stage III. Fifteen patients were at least 90% satisfied with the results of
the surgery. Only 8% of thumbs advanced to radiographic arthritic disease, which compares
favorably with the 17% to 33% reported incidence of stage III/IV basal joint arthritis
in the general population. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:297–304. Copyright © 2000 by the
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 15,
1999
Received:
June 8,
1999
Footnotes
*No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
**Reprint requests: Douglas M. Freedman, MD. Scripps Clinic. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, 10666 N. Torrey Pines Rd. La Jolla, CA 92037.
*0363-5023/00/25A02-0006$3.00/0
**J Hand Surg 2000;25A:297–304
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
