A randomized comparison between trapeziectomy and trapeziometacarpal limited excision for thumb base osteoarthritis in 90 patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Painful osteoarthritis in the thumb base and radiological arthritis (Eaton Littler class 2-3) and clinical signs of thumb base osteoarthritis (pain at palpation of the thumb base joint and pain during grinding test).
• Pain at rest.
• Conservative treatment >6 months (activity modification, splinting, painkillers or thumb base steroid or PRP injection)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Ongoing infection in the hand or wrist. -
• History of gout or pseudo gout.
• Inability to co-operate with the follow-up protocol (language difficulties, severe psychiatric disorder, cognitive impairment, drug addiction).
• Intra-articular injection in the affected joint within 6 months.
• Eaton Littler class 4 (STT joint involved).