Osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb.

Osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb is a functionally disabling condition and, as such, the basal joint complex represents the most commonly operated focus in the osteoarthritic upper extremity. Degenerative disease is predicted on instability of the trapeziometacarpal joint secondary to deterioration of the capsular and ligamentous restraints. Ligament reconstruction in the setting of a symptomatic hypermobile joint with intact cartilage surfaces may retard progression of arthritic disease. Complications related to silicone implant arthroplasty have given way to ligament reconstruction tendon interposition arthroplasty as the preferred procedure for the osteoarthritic thumb basal joint complex.