Basal joint implant arthroplasty in osteoarthritis. Indications, techniques, pitfalls, and problems

Implant arthroplasty is a valuable surgical procedure for some patients with basal joint arthritis of the thumb. Those patients for whom it seems to be the most useful are the low-demand osteoarthritic and the rheumatoid. Should this type of arthroplasty be selected, the associated soft tissue reconstruction is of paramount importance in determining the success of the surgical effort.