Stabilization of silastic implant arthroplasty at the trapezometacarpal joint

Instability of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb may accompany silastic implant arthroplasty. A collapse deformity of the thumb with resultant loss of pinch power impairs hand function. A procedure is described, which allows apical stabilization of the base of the thumb. Compressive forces may then act on the thumb to produce divergence in abduction without collapse instability and yet allow enough motion for convergence in oposition and restoration of asymptomatic three-point pinch.