Functional and Patient-Reported Outcomes of RegJoint™ Interpositional Arthroplasty for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint (CMCJ) Arthritis: A Two-to-Five-Year Follow-Up Study

Background/purpose This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of patients treated with RegJoint™ interpositional arthroplasty for thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) arthritis as a replacement to traditional practices after a follow-up period of two to five years (mean of 42 months). Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted, which included 35 consecutive patients who underwent the RegJoint™ interpositional arthroplasty between 2017 and 2022 at the Department of Orthopaedics, South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, Warwickshire, Great Britain. Twenty-five patients were included in this study who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and who agreed to participate in the study. Functional outcomes, including range of motion, quality of life, and patient satisfaction, were evaluated using standardised assessments such as the QuickDASH score and the Thumb Disability Examination (TDX) score. Results Among the 25 patients included in the study, the mean age was 62 years (range: 48-79 years), with a mean follow-up duration of 42 months (range: 24-60 months). The study demonstrated favourable postoperative outcomes, with a mean QuickDASH score of 15.8; some patients achieved complete symptom resolution. Notably, there were no reported cases of abnormal reactions, infections, or revisions within this cohort. Conclusion This long-term follow-up study demonstrates that RegJoint™ interpositional arthroplasty can be considered for patients with thumb CMCJ arthritis, given the good patient satisfaction and low complication rates. This technique provides a mean of alternative to traditional surgical techniques, particularly in patients wanting joint-preserving solutions.