This 2008 JAAOS review by Van Heest and Kallemeier covers the anatomy, pathophysiology, staging, and full treatment spectrum of thumb CMC arthritis — the most common upper extremity joint requiring surgical reconstruction for osteoarthritis.
When you see an older woman with pain and tenderness at the thumb base, get a Bett view to stage with the Eaton system and start with splinting — 70% of patients can avoid surgery with conservative care.
If she fails and has Eaton stage III/IV disease, simple trapeziectomy is the evidence-based foundation; adding LRTI has not been shown to improve outcomes over trapeziectomy alone.
This 2008 JAAOS review by Van Heest and Kallemeier covers the anatomy, pathophysiology, staging, and full treatment spectrum of thumb CMC arthritis — the most common upper extremity joint requiring surgical reconstruction for osteoarthritis.
When you see an older woman with pain and tenderness at the thumb base, get a Bett view to stage with the Eaton system and start with splinting — 70% of patients can avoid surgery with conservative care.
If she fails and has Eaton stage III/IV disease, simple trapeziectomy is the evidence-based foundation; adding LRTI has not been shown to improve outcomes over trapeziectomy alone.