Double tightrope for basilar thumb arthritis

Abstract

Several surgical options exist for the treatment of basilar thumb joint arthritis. Suspending the thumb metacarpal with a suture button device provides a stabilizing force to maintain pinch strength, precludes the necessary healing time associated with ligamentous reconstruction and allows for earlier motion and return to work, and creates a stable construct that may prevent metacarpal subsidence over time. One of the concerns with this technique is over-tightening of the suture device, which results with impingement of the thumb and index metacarpal bases. We present a surgical technique of open trapeziectomy, simultaneous application of 2 Mini TightRope button devices to provide additional stabilization that prevents impingement of the thumb and index finger metacarpal, with imbrication of the flexor carpi radialis and abductor pollicis longus tendons as reinforcement of the construct.

Keywords: Double tightrope; basilar thumb arthritis.