A Review of the Early Outcomes of Arthroplasty of the First Carpometacarpal Joint using Pyro Carbon Spherical Implants

The most frequent hand joint to develop osteoarthritis is the first Carpo Meta Carpal joint (CMC). Many hand surgeons have reconsidered implant arthroplasty since it protects key structures, according to a survey. However, no implant with the ideal design and material composition exists at this time. The current study was the first to employ pyro carbon spherical implants for arthroplasty of the first CMC in patients with Eaton-Littler stage II and III osteoarthritis and to evaluate early results. From May 2010 to April 2013, a single surgeon used pyro carbon spherical implants to conduct 24 arthroplasties (23 patients (20 women, three males) with a mean age of 56 years (range 46 years to 75 years) of the first CMC (9 right hands and 15 left hands). All of the patients were unable to respond to conservative treatment. The mean Kapandji score was 8.8 of 10 (range 7 to 10) at 1.8 months postoperatively (range 4.3 months to 38.9 months), and the average pre- while postoperative visual pain scale values were 8.9 of 10 (range 8 to 10) and 1.13 of 10 (range 0 to 4), respectively. With a mean satisfaction score of 4.760.44 out 5.00, all patients were either very satisfied (scoring=5) or satisfied (score=4) with the procedure (range 4 to 5). The mean DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) score after surgery was 11.2 (range 0 to 49.17). All implants were found to be stable, with no erosion of surrounding canceller’s bone, according to the most recent radiographic assessments. No implant subluxations, dislocations, or revisions were found. Early findings are encouraging, indicating that this implant could be used for arthroplasty in the future. Longer-term follow-up, however, will be required to confirm these findings.