Surgical treatment for correction of rhizarthrosis: Systematic review with meta-analysis

Objectives: to evaluate the results obtained from the arthroplasty, arthrodesis and trapeziectomy with tendon interposition techniques used to treat rhizarthrosis. Methodology: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis carried out by searching the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library without language restriction for publications up to June 2024 to analyze the surgical treatment of arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint. Results: 289 patients were included, of whom 63 underwent trapeziectomy with tendon interposition, 70 underwent arthrodesis and 156 underwent arthroplasty. Arthroplasty showed good long-term results when compared to the most commonly used techniques for correcting rhizarthrosis. Trapeziectomy showed no significant improvement in strength or functionality when compared to arthrodesis, and was also more associated with cases of joint reduction failure and consequent re-intervention. Conclusion: No surgical technique is superior to another in terms of pain, physical function and the patient's overall assessment.