| Thumb basal joint arthritis is a common condition which often affects both hands. It is painless in some people, but others have great difficulty because of pain and weakness of pinch. Over time, the thumb may draw into the palm and be compensated by stretching and hyperextending the adjacent metacarpophalangeal joint. |
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| Typical posture of adducted thumbs, swelling more obvious on the patient's left hand. |
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| Adduction of the metacarpal and hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint. |
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| Advanced degenerative changes of the joint: loss of joint space, subchondral sclerosis, large osteophyte, erosions, all with preservation of the adjacent joints. |
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| Another thumb, similar changes. |
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| Before surgery, subluxation of the metacarpal base: |
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| Same thumb after surgery, the reconstructed joint visible as an even space around the metacarpal base. |
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| Bilateral hand involvement is common, although the most painful thumb may not be the one with the worst Xray. |
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| Another patient. |
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| And another.. |
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| And another... |
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| Another xray before surgery |
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| and after surgery. |
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| And another patient with the metacarpal adducted and hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint. |
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basal joint arthritis basal joint arthroplasty thumb carpometacarpal arthritis |
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