De la Caffinière arthroplasty for basal thumb joint osteoarthritis.

We performed 20 de la Caffinière trapeziometacarpal arthroplasties for osteoarthritis occurring only at this joint and reviewed all patients after periods of up to ten years. Eighteen arthroplasties were satisfactory postoperatively, although all 20 patients had a satisfactory range of motion and only one experienced pain after surgery such that it impeded normal function. Failure occurred in two patients and was due to overreaming of the trapezium during surgery and a traumatic dislocation. A radiolucency between the prosthesis and bone was observed in one arthroplasty, although this patient was asymptomatic. We recommend arthroplasty using the de la Caffinière prosthesis as a satisfactory method of treatment for the osteoarthritic trapeziometacarpal joint.