Abstract
Four cases of thumb CM joint disorders in rheumatoid hand were treated, two by trapezium resection arthroplasty with a Swanson implant, and the other two by arthrodesis of the CM joint. Follow-up study of these cases showed that there were functional limitations of the thumb and hand in the arthrodesis cases due to the carpal bone fusion developing after the postoperative period. On the other hand, in the cases of arthroplasty with a Swanson implant, good thumb function had been kept for a long period after operation.
For rheumatoid thumb the surgery which preserves the function of the CM joint should be selected.
