Surgical treatment for osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb.

Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint can cause pain and disability. Surgical procedures for this problem include extra-articular ligamentous reconstruction, arthrodesis of the trapeziometacarpal joint, osteotomy of the thumb metacarpal, total joint arthroplasty, silicone interposition arthroplasty, and partial or complete resection of the trapezium. None of the operations results in a painless, stable thumb with good strength and motion in all cases. Disorders of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint and the scaphotrapezio-trapezoid joints may accompany osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint.