Failure of an uncemented thumb carpometacarpal joint ceramic prosthesis

Abstract

Thumb carpometacarpal joint replacement is associated with high rates of loosening and failure. We present our results for an uncemented ceramic–ceramic total joint prosthesis with a reverse ball-and-socket design and bioactive coating. Between 2008 and 2012, 29 prostheses were inserted into 28 patients (mean age 63 years) with advanced osteoarthritis. After a mean period of 33 months (range 9–62), 26 patients (27 implants) were available for follow-up. Six months postoperatively, 50% of the patients had radiological evidence of early loosening. Fifteen implants had been removed in 14 patients for aseptic loosening (13) or trapezium fracture (2). The 12 patients whose prosthesis was still in place had a mean visual analogue scale pain score of 1.9 (range 0–6) and a mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 23 (range 0–73.3). Eleven patients were satisfied with the procedure. The rate of early aseptic failure was unacceptably high. Level of evidence: IV