Long-term follow-up of scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid arthrodesis

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Fortin PT. Louis DS. Journal of Hand Surgery - St Louis. [JC:ia9] 18(4):675-81, 1993 Jul. A series of 19 consecutive patients who underwent scaphoid-trapezium -trapezoid arthrodesis for chronic scapholunate instability or isolated arthrosis was reviewed. The average follow-up of 14 patients was 62 months. Eight of these 14 patients had significant residual symptoms and/or functional limitations at follow-up, and 11 had complications, including radiocarpal arthrosis (six patients), trapeziometacarpal arthrosis (four patients), and nonunion (three patients). Fusion without reduction of the scaphoid to a normal orientation was predictive of a poor result, but normal scaphoid positioning did not preclude development of arthrosis. Development of a painful degenerative thumb carpal-metacarpal joint may occur as an isolated phenomenon after scaphoid-trapezium -trapezoid arthrodesis.