Abstract
Osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, specifically, of the thumb trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint, is a common condition in older women. Complications associated with surgical treatment range from transient tendinitis to wrist instability. We present two patients in whom complications developed after undergoing CMC arthroplasty. In one patient, rupture of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) was noted postoperatively after using a combination of ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition with complete trapeziectomy. The second patient presented with a flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon that was tethered with sutures, in which surgical release of the entrapped FPL tendon led to successful treatment. In the treatment of CMC osteoarthritis, one surgical method of treatment may not be more effective than other methods. Further studies on the long-term clinical impact of both techniques may help assess a standard method for treating TMC joint osteoarthritis.
Recommended Citation
Avila, Jessica A.; Taylor H. Parnall; Ericka L. Charley; Lauren N. Mercer; Elizabeth A. Mikola; and Deana M. Mercer. "Postoperative Complications in Patients with Trapeziometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis Treated With Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty: Report of Two Cases." UNM Orthopaedic Research Journal 5, 1 (2016). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/unm_jor/vol5/iss1/27
