Purpose
Trapeziectomy with suspensionplasty is the most popular treatment for thumb carpometacarpal
arthritis. However, carpometacarpal denervation has recently shown promise as an alternative
treatment option. This study was designed to compare functional outcomes, pain reduction,
and quality of life between denervation and suspension arthroplasty in patients treated
for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.
Methods
We conducted a prospective clinical trial between June 2020 and December 2021. Preoperative
and postoperative evaluations were conducted on patients, including the evaluation
of functional outcomes via the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, pain with the
visual analog score, quality of life with the EuroQol-5D, and the evaluation of time
to return to function. Outcomes and complications were compared between patients undergoing
denervation versus arthroplasty.
Results
Forty-eight patients were included in the study, 34 of whom underwent denervation
and 14 underwent suspension arthroplasty of the thumb carpometacarpal joint. Patients
in the denervation group were younger, with an average age of 59 years compared with
67 years in the arthroplasty group. All other patient characteristics were similar.
Pain reduction, functional outcomes, and quality of life scores showed equal improvement
in both groups. Denervation patients had a reduced time to return to function (3.3
weeks vs 4.5 months in the arthroplasty group).
Conclusions
Carpometacarpal denervation appears to provide similar short-term outcomes as suspension
arthroplasty for the treatment of thumb carpometacarpal arthritis. Treatment with
denervation may offer a quicker return to function. The long-term outcomes of denervation
remain unknown.
Type of study/level of evidence
Therapeutic IV.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 01, 2023
Accepted:
November 16,
2022
Received:
August 7,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
