Information for Patients
From the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Examenes para los dolores de las articulaciones (Tests for Joint Pain)
Ligament Reconstruction in Thumb Basal Joint Arthroplasty
Osteoarthritis of the thumb trapeziometacarpal (TM) joint due to degeneration of the anterior oblique "beak" ligament results in pathologic laxity, abnormal translation of the metacarpal on the trapezium, and generation of excessive shear forces between the joint surfaces during grip and pinch activity. This article describes our rationale for performing ligament reconstruction and trapezium excision (LRTI arthroplasty) in the treatment of thumb basal joint arthritis. Surgical procedure steps are detailed, and normal TM joint anatomy and biomechanics, as well as pathoanatomy, are also presented to provide a better understanding of this region of the hand.
Keywords: thumb basal joint arthritis, thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis, thumb CMC joint arthritis, thumb trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis, thumb TM joint arthritis, trapezium excision, igament reconstruction tendon interposition arthroplasty, LRTI arthroplasty, abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty, APL suspensionplasty