Rheumatoid arthritis at the base of the thumb treated by trapezium resection or implant arthroplasty.

A clinical review is presented of patients with disabling rheumatoid arthritis at the base of the thumb treated by resection of the trapezium or by implant arthroplasty. Both methods resulted in good relief of pain, and the patients experienced better hand function. There were no great differences in results between the two methods.