What is the most important mechanical factor involved in trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis development? A sensitivity analysis based on biomechanical modelling.

Few studies consider the variability of the model parameters. This study aimed to perform a sensitivity analysis of a trapeziometacarpal joint model, by performing 675 finite element simulations built from the combination of different morphologies, joint passive stiffness, and grip strategies to estimate the joint pressure. Pressure variability was significantly more affected by morphology than grip strategy and joint passive stiffness. The effect of morphology and grip strategy on joint pressure was significant. A significant correlation between the trapezium dorso-volar curvature and the joint pressure was found. Morphology seems more important than the other parameters to estimate joint contact pressure correctly.