Trapeziometacarpal-I--Symposium: The Basal Joint Pain Syndrome

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Melone-Charles-P. Beavers-Bruce. Isani-Alamgir. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1987 Jul. 220. pp 58-67. Disabling trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis is often associated with other skeletal or soft tissue pathology that necessitates simultaneous treatment. In this study of 100 trapezium arthroplasties, 65 per cent of the patients required at least one concurrent operative procedure and, overall, 75 per cent have received treatment for related problems before, during, or after the arthroplasty. In order of frequency, scaphotrapezial arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, hyperextension deformity of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint, trigger digits, and tenosynovitis of the *wrist* have been the most prevalent concomitant conditions requiring surgery. Awareness that trapeziometacarpal arthritis is frequently the focal site of a widespread inflammatory process involving other structures of the hand--termed herein the "basal joint pain syndrome"--is essential to optimal management of patients with pain at the base of the thumb.