[A retrospective study of 69 primary rhizarthrosis surgically treated by total trapeziectomy followed in 34 cases by interpositional tendinoplasty and in 35 cases by suspensioplasty].

Introduction: We compare retrospectively two groups of total trapezectomy did as treatment for primary osteoarthritis of trapeziometacarpal joint combined in 34 cases with tendon interposition arthroplasty (group A) and in 35 cases with suspensioplasty (group B).
Method: In group A an 'anchovy' was made with half band of the abductor pollicis longus tendon and the palmarus longus tendon; in group B the same tendon samples were rolled around the flexor capi radialis tendon. The follow up is at least 18 months.
Results: Strength was nearly the same in the two groups. The suspensioplasty of the group B allows a better stability after trapezectomy than the anchovy of the group A, but with a small decrease in range of motion, without functional consequence. In both groups of patients, the range of motion was good. In the group B, the persistent pain was more frequent than in group A. Patients were satisfied with the ability of perform activities of daily life, but working patients were bothered by poor endurance. There was no statistical correlation between the power of the thumb and thumb shortening, but there was one between increasing of hyperextension of thumb metacarpophalangeal joint and decreasing power of pinch.
Discussion: Since the suspensioplasty has been tightenedless, the relief of pain has been better in the group B. Overall, the results in the two groups were nearly the same; the two procedures studied are satisfactory in most cases, but their result is too often inadequate with performance at work.