Trapeziometacarpal arthritis continues to be a common and disabling disease, especially for middle-aged women. Many patients are unable to use their thumb even for the simplest activities of daily living. The anchovy procedure though effective in relieving pain can often destabilize the thumb and cause fore shortening. The arthritic process mostly involves the trapezial surface, sparing the metacarpal. Therefore, we throught it might be feasible to resurface the trapezium and maintain the integrity of the joint. Ear cartilage provided a ready and basically morbidity free donor site.

From l996 through 2001, we have performed thirty trapeziometacarpal arthroplasties on twenty-eight patients, age forty through seventy-seven, twenty-eight women and two men. Twenty-five patients were available for follow up from six months to six years All patients healed primarily Twenty-four were rated as good to excellent when evaluated for range of motion, grip strength, and absence of pain. One patient was rated as fair to poor based on persistence of pain.

Conclusion: Autogenous ear cartilage is a useful procedure in treating arthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint..