Post-traumatic arthrosis of the index carpometacarpal joint. A rationale for treatment and report of two cases.

Although a relatively rare entity, post-traumatic arthrosis of the carpometacarpal joint of the index finger can be a disabling problem. Its diagnosis must be differentiated from other sources of local pathology. A rationale to the diagnosis and treatment of this entity is presented, demonstrating the usefulness of test injections of xylocaine, an intra-articular injection of a steroid preparation when a relatively congruous joint exists, and arthrodesis of the joint when an incongruous joint is encountered.