Design Considerations for Carpometacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty

The thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint carefully balances stability and mobility to provide a tremendous range of function. Advancing age is the strongest risk factor for developing arthritis, which presents with symptoms of stiffness and pain. When the pain is unbearable, patients may consider CMC arthroplasty. Many operations have been designed to address this problem, but performing removal of the arthritic trapezium is the key aspect. Variations that include a method to maintain metacarpal height (such as ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, or LRTI) are the most commonly performed types of surgery. While many prosthetic implants have been designed to replace this articulation (and have shown promising early results), none have performed well enough to be used routinely at this time.