A patient-reported comparison of trapeziectomy with Swanson silastic implant or sling ligament reconstruction

A retrospective review of two types of operations for carpometacarpal osteo arthritis of the thumb mas done for patients operated on between 1991 and 1 996. Follow-up ranged from 18 to 90 months (mean 62 months). Fifty-eight Sw anson Silastic arthroplasties and 56 sling excision arthoplasties were revi ewed. Eight patients with Swanson arthroplasties underwent removal of the i mplant. Eight patients in the sling excision group required further surgery These patients were excluded from further analysis. Questionnaires about p ain, general satisfaction and function were sent to the other patients and 87 responses were received (sling 45, implant 32), In the implant group sig nificantly better results were obtained for pain at 1 year, carrying a milk bottle and taking a handbrake off a car, and overall function. We conclude that trapeziectomy combined with Swanson implant gives better results in t he short term if there are no complications of the operation.