Total joint replacement at the base of the thumb—Preliminary report

摘要: Twenty-nine patients have been studied after trapeziometacarpal total joint replacement with a system of the author's design using titanium metacarpal component and polyethylene trapezium cemented to bone polymethyl methacrylate. Replacement was performed for arthritis, failure attempted arthrodesis, previous Silastic or arthroplasty failure, postparalytic fibrous ankylosis joint. Twenty-six achieved good range painless motion since study initiated in 1974. There no cases implant fracture infection, but three demonstrated loosening at cement-bone interface. The results appear warrant cautious optimism this time.