Partial trapeziectomy and interposition of fascia lata allograft in the operative treatment of thumb base osteoarthritis

Aim: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the results of fascia lata allograft interposition after partial trapeziectomy in patients with symptomatic first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Methods and results: Twenty-one patients (22 thumbs) with Eaton-Glickel stage II or III first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis were included. After a mean follow-up duration of 70.2 months, most patients experienced minimal pain. The operation was graded excellent or good by 15 patients (15 hands). Active range of motion and strength measurements were comparable to the contralateral hand, except for extension, which was slightly better in the contralateral hand. The mean radiologically measured difference pre- and postoperatively in distance between distal part of the trapezium and base of the metacarpal was 2.7 mm. Two patients had reoperations in the first year after the initial operation because of ongoing pain. Conclusion: Partial trapeziectomy with interposition of fascia lata allograft in patients with symptomatic first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis can achieve reasonable results. It may be considered a reliable operative treatment option in patients with first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.