The trapezium-thumb metacarpal joint: the relationship of joint shape and degenerative joint disease

An investigation of sixty-seven embalmed cadaver hands was performed to determine if the topography of articular surfaces was related to thumb basal joint arthritis. The trapezial articular surface tended to be flatter in women and joints with early degenerative changes. The trapezial surface was transformed from a saddle type to a semi-cylindrical type with advancing arthritis.