Carpometacarpal osteoarthritis of the thumb

Abstract

Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint is the second most common site of degenerative joint disease in the hand and mostly affects postmenopausal women and manual workers. The reported radiographic prevalence of the condition is 7% in males and 15% in females. Studies reveal that 33% of women over 40 years of age will have some Xray changes. To achieve a high degree of prehensile and manipulative function this highly mobile joint is constrained by both the biconcave saddle morphology of the trapezium and the ligamentous constraints. It is theorized that attenuation of the anterior oblique ligament or beak ligament leads to instability, subluxation and eventually arthritis of the CMC (carpometacarpal) joint. The condition can cause pain, weakness, deformity and loss of function of the thumb and can be very debilitating.