Surgical treatment of the rheumatoid thumb

Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the thumb. Deformity does not require surgical intervention unless pain is present or a functional deficit exists, but if bony erosion develops and surgical treatment may be compromised in the future, earlier intervention may be indicated. When the pathogenesis and pathoanatomy of the impaired rheumatoid thumb are appreciated, and appropriate treatment is selected, surgical intervention is likely to provide a favorable outcome for the patient.