Bone-preserving arthroscopic options for treatment of thumb basilar joint arthritis.

Abstract

While trapeziectomy with or without interposition arthroplasty and ligament reconstruction or suspensionplasty have been demonstrated to have a high rate of satisfactory outcomes, recent interest has focused on arthroscopy because of its perceived limited invasive nature as well as its versatility. In addition, using the arthroscope, other options are available that preserve all or part of the trapezium to limit subsidence of the thumb axis, preserve grip and pinch strength, and retain later options for joint reconstruction, should that become necessary.