The role of arthroscopy in evaluating and treating trapeziometacarpal disease

Thumb trapeziometacarpal arthroscopy offers unique opportunities for improv ing evaluation and treatment in patients, with basal joint disease. For pat ients with early disease, arthroscopic synovectomy and electrothermal shrin kage of the capsule can provide symptomatic improvement. For patients with more advanced disease, arthroscopic hemitrapeziectomy and complete trapezie ctomy can be performed, combined with electrothermal shrinkage of the anter ior oblique ligament. This article reviews the surgical technique and the e arly follow up of this rapidly advancing, minimally invasive technique for treatment of trapeziometacarpal disease.