Trapeziometacarpal joint replacement with the Arpe prosthesis.

The purpose of the study was to assess the subjective outcome and five-year survival of non-cemented total joint replacement of the trapeziometacarpal joint with the Arpe prothesis. Forty-nine hands were operated on. Outcome scores were obtained with a mean follow-up of 6 years (range: 3-11 years) for 35 prostheses. Mean disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score was 8, mean visual analogue scale for pain 1, for satisfaction 9.6 and for willingness to have the same operation again 9.8. Six patients were lost to follow-up. Two prostheses (5%) dislocated and four implants were removed. At five years the prosthesis was still in place in 33 out of 34 hands. The overall mid-term results of the Arpe prosthesis were satisfactory. Five-year survival was 97%.