The 1st CMC joint is located at the base of the thumb. It gives the thumb a wide range of motion – up, down, across the palm, and the ability to pinch. A healthy joint has cartilage on the surface of the bones that acts as a cushion, allowing smooth and painless movement of the joint. Osteoarthritis means that there is wear and tear of the joint. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down and releases substances in the joint that cause inflammation and pain.
1st CMC arthroplasty is a joint replacement surgery, one of the surgical options for the treatment of 1st CMC joint osteoarthritis. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means that you will be put to sleep during surgery.
The aim of the surgery is to replace the damaged joint, relieve pain, regain functional thumb movement and improve your quality of life.
