Treatment of thumb metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint arthritis.

Degenerative joint disease affecting the thumb metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints is a debilitating condition, which can significantly restrict activities of daily living. Conservative measures to address symptoms include oral anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification and splinting, and intraarticular corticosteroid injections. Surgical interventions include arthroscopic synovectomy, arthroplasty, and finally arthrodesis of the affected articulations. Although short-term results from synovectomy and arthroplasty seem promising, long-term data are not yet available. Arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints yields a stable yet functional thumb with reliably good pain relief.