Surgical Treatment of the Rheumatoid Thumb: Special Reference to the Metacarpophalangeal Joint

Abstract

Rheumatoid involvement of the thumb is very common and usually causes considerable limitation of prehension. In the present paper restoration of the pulp pinch is discussed on the basis of experience from 142 operations performed on 84 patients. Special attention is paid to the metacarpophalangeal joint and results of synovectomy, tendon plasty and arthrodesis are given.