[Carpometacarpal joint arthrosis and its surgical therapy with the de la Caffinière endoprosthesis]

In the area of the hand the carpo-metacarpal joint of the thumb together with the metacarpo-phalangeal joints is the most important joint according to the function of the hand. Its reduction of movement leads to misfunction of the thumb and the whole hand. Osteoarthritis of that very special joint commonly occurs in females after the menopause. The increasing severeness of the arthrosis is often complicated through pathological positions as well as through contractures (so called Z-deformities). In these patients operative treatment for improvement of function is very often not avoidable. Especially in the elderly patient with reduced manual work the implantation of a cemented carpo-metacarpal prosthesis (created by de la Caffinière) seems to be a useful treatment. As in all cemented implants the disadvantage is the danger of aseptic loosening of the prosthesis.