Thumb basal joint arthritis: New classification, diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm

Abstract

The assessment of thumb basal joint arthritis requires a radiographic evaluation and a classification of the lesions to guide the treatment choice. Arthritis of the thumb basal joint is not limited to trapeziometacarpal arthritis. The radiographic assessment must consider the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint, the entire carpus and the rest of the thumb column, in particular the metacarpophalangeal joint. There is currently no classification that captures all these items. This article reviews the existing classifications, proposes a new classification system that takes into account the entire thumb column and sets out the therapeutic options.

Keywords: Articulation scapho-trapézo-trapézoïdienne; Articulation trapézo-métacarpienne; Classification; Rhizarthrose; Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint; Thumb basal joint arthritis; Trapeziometacarpal joint.