Background: This study aims to evaluate patient outcomes associated with use of the Artelon® Spacer for the treatment of arthritis of the carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb.
Methods: Patients with Eaton stage I, II, or III carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis and disabling pain that had failed conservative treatment were evaluated at 12, 36, and 48 months postsurgery for changes in pinch, patient satisfaction, pain, range of motion, grip strength, grind test, operative time, and X-ray evidence of subsidence.
Results: Complete data was available for 46 subjects and 49 thumbs. A statistically significant improvement in pain when subjected to a first CMC joint grind test, CMCJ stability and patient perception of hand and wrist function following implant insertion was seen. Patient-oriented outcomes showed statistically significant improvement in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; pain; pinch and grip strength; and range of motion. X-ray analysis revealed that none of the distributions of measures of osteophytes, subluxation, and joint space narrowing showed statistically significant change. Bone erosion/remodeling changes of the first metacarpal were statistically significant.
Conclusions: At a follow-up period of 4 years, patients had measured improvement as well as positive self-reported functional improvements following Artelon® implant insertion for the treatment of arthritis of the thumb CMCJ.
Keywords: Artelon; CMC joint; Osteoarthritis; Surgical implant.