Effects of Metacarpophalangeal Arthrodesis on Thumb Ligament Reconstruction Tendon Interposition Arthroplasty Outcomes

Patients undergoing thumb ligament reconstruction tendon interposition (LRTI) for carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis are often treated with metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthrodesis for concomitant MCP hyperextension. The effects of MCP arthrodesis on LRTI were evaluated in this study. Thirty-one LRTI surgeries were compared to 22 LRTIs with MCP arthrodesis surgeries. All patients answered Michigan Hand Outcomes (MHQ), QuickDASH, and Visual Analog Score (VAS) questionnaires. Grip, tip pinch, lateral pinch and opposition were measured. The LRTI alone and LRTI with MCP arthrodesis cohorts were then compared to each other and all of the non-operative thumbs of the same patients. The LRTI and MCP arthrodesis group showed no statistical difference in MHQ, QuickDASH, VAS, or measured strength compared to LRTI alone. This study shows no difference in patient reported outcomes between patients with LRTI alone and LRTI with MCP arthrodesis performed by the same surgeon on average 4 years after surgery. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 34(4):168–173, 2025)

Key words: hand, wrist, thumb, arthritis, carpometacarpal (CMC), metacarpophalangeal (MCP)