[Arthroscopic surgery of the trapeziometacarpal joint]

Treatments of 1st CMC joint arthritis are numerous. Arthroscopic surgery allows distal trapezium resection in early stage of CMC arthritis, avoiding more extensive classical open surgery. The distal trapezium resection is performed under arthroscopic control, associated to tendinous interposition. Between 2000 and 2005 we treated 32 patients. There were 26 women and 6 men. The average age was 56 years old (range 48-78). In 4 cases we had to transform the procedure in open surgery with trapezectomy. Postoperative pain were usual and long. We had technical fault with foreign bodies in one case, insufficient resection in 2 cases. One case presented a secondary joint collapses with necessity of other operation.