Tendon versus Pyrocarbon Interpositional Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis
Figure 1
The ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) surgical procedure. (a, b) Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs of a 52-year-old female with Eaton-Littler stage III trapeziometacarpal (TMC) osteoarthritis. (c) After opening the dorsal capsule of the TMC joint, the base of the first metacarpal bone and trapezium were exposed. (d) The base of the insertion of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon of the second metacarpal bone was noted () after excision of the trapezium. Care was taken to avoid FCR tendon injury. (e) The distally based radial half of the FCR tendon was harvested from its musculotendinous junction and retrieved distally to its insertion. (f) The retrieved tendon was delivered through the bone tunnel, and then the FCR remnant was weaved along its length using the anchovy procedure and interposed in the trapezium space and anchored deeply to the joint capsule. (g, h) Posteroanterior and lateral postoperative radiographs. Mc, metacarpal bone; Tp, trapezium.