Arthrodesis of ring finger and little finger metacarpal bases for little finger carpometacarpal joint arthritis

Abstract

Five patients with localized little finger carpometacarpal arthritis were treated by excision of the little finger metacarpal base and arthrodesis of the little and ring metacarpals. A dorsal periosteal/capsular flap was used as an interposition graft. All patients achieved significant pain relief, good cosmesis and satisfactory grip strength. All returned to activities of daily living. This procedure, the Dubert procedure, is indicated for localized pathology of the hamate-little finger metacarpal joint. It has theoretical advantages over arthrodesis and resection or interposition arthroplasty as it preserves little finger length, rotation and alignment and maintains some mobility of the transverse carpal arch and the little finger ray.