Thumb basal joint arthroplasty using abductor pollicis longus tendon: an average 5.5-year follow-up.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the 4-year minimum (5.5-y average) results of trapeziectomy and ligament reconstruction using a modified Thompson technique with the abductor pollicis longus tendon for the primary treatment of advanced-stage basal joint arthritis (Eaton stages III and IV).

Methods: We evaluated 25 thumbs in 18 patients after ligament reconstruction arthroplasty for surgical treatment of advanced thumb basal joint arthritis.