Forty-six patients (fifty hands) had replacement of the trapezium by a
silicone implant that incorporated a local tendon strip to stabilize the
device. The patients had intractable pain due to degenerative changes of
multiple facets of the trapezium. The over-all rate of subluxation and
dislocation was 10 per cent. In all hands, pain-free improved movement
resulted. The pinch strength approximated the normal, averaging six
kilograms for women and eight kilograms for men.