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The aim of this double anonymized, randomized controlled trial was to determine whether total joint arthroplasty has superior outcomes than trapeziectomy 1 year after surgery for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. A total of 62 women aged 40 years and older, scheduled for surgery for stage II or III osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint, were included and randomized to trapeziectomy or total joint arthroplasty. The primary outcome was the total score of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire subscale scores, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, active range of motion, strength, return to work, patient satisfaction and complications. Data were collected at baseline and at 3 and 12 months. At 1 year, we found no superiority of total joint arthroplasty over trapeziectomy regarding the total score of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire. The total joint arthroplasty did show a significant advantage in strength and range of motion. Level of evidence: I [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint) is a good treatment option for relief of arthritic pain. The angle of the fused PIP joint is considered important for postoperative digital function. It is therefore important to reliably measure the actual angle of fusion. Goniometry performed by hand therapists or hand surgeons can generate measurement errors. The purpose of this study is therefore to investigate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of measuring the angle of fusion of the PIP joint on X-rays. A clinimetric study was conducted investigating the reliability of X-ray goniometry. Three blinded observers measured the angle of the PIP-joint fusion on a lateral postoperative X-ray. The intraobserver and interobserver reliability was calculated. Ninety-four patient X-rays were measured. The intraobserver reliability showed an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.94, and the ICC for the interobserver reliability ranged between 0.92 and 0.95. Because this is the first reliability study on radiographic goniometry, comparison of our data with other similar studies is difficult. The best comparison can be made to in vivo goniometry. Based on the investigation of ICC values of various studies on the reliability of in vivo goniometry, radiographic goniometry seems to be more reliable. These results indicate an excellent reliability, which is generally higher than the reliability for in vivo goniometry of the PIP joint performed by hand therapists or hand surgeons. We can conclude that radiographic goniometry of the PIP joint is a highly reliable measurement method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]