Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Long Term Follow Up in Patients with Radiologically Loose Trapeziometacarpal Total Joint Implants

Lise Hellegaard and Torben Baek Hansen

Total trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty often fails leading to secondary trapeziectomy. In this study we reviewed five patients with radiological early signs of implant loosening already 12 months after trapeziometacarpal joint replacement with the MOJE Acamo uncemented joint prosthesis to investigate whether the patients developed progressing symptoms. The observation time was eight years. One patient was not able to participate. DASH-scores and X-rays were obtained and clinical examinations done. We found radiologically progressing migration of both implants in all patients after eight years. All patients however reported normal to slightly reduced daily level of function and no to little pain in their hand. Also clinical examination showed satisfying results. It seems that satisfying results can be obtained despite radiological evidence of implant loosening and migration justifying a more conservative approach to revision surgery with the MOJE Acamo prosthesis. A possible explanation of the clinical results is the very large ball-and-socket design of the implant, which seems to retain joint stability and prevent painful luxation of the trapeziometacarpal joint.