Early Thumb Carpometacarpal Subluxation Stabilized with a Mini TightRope: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Two patients with thumb carpometacarpal instability were stabilized using a suture suspension device. Both patients had symptomatic thumb carpometacarpal instability in the setting of clinical hyperlaxity without known connective tissue disorder that was recalcitrant to nonsurgical modalities. Both patients had significant, lasting improvement in their pain and function with excellent radiographic outcomes. Suture suspension as a treatment for thumb carpometacarpal instability with an intact trapezium is an effective alternative to ligamentous reconstruction that avoids donor site morbidity and may have added benefit in patients with underlying ligamentous laxity.

Keywords

• Basilar thumb arthritis
• Hypermobility
• Instability
• Suspensionplasty