Classification of Eaton and Littler for Degenerative Arthritis in the Thumb Carpometacarpal (CMC) Joint

Description

Eaton and Littler described several stages in the progression of degenerative arthritis in the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. The authors are from Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.

Parameters:

(1) joint space

(2) bone and articular contours

(3) subluxation (may be better appreciated on stress X-rays)

Joint Spaces	Bone and Articular Contours	Subluxation	Stage
normal	normal	none	0
slightly widened (due to effusion)	normal	less than one third in any projection	I
variable (slightly widened, normal, slightly narrow)	bone or calcific fragments less than 2 mm, adjacent to volar and/or dosal facets of the trapezium	at least one third	II
slight joint space narrowing	bone or calcfic fragments greater than 2 mm are present (dorsal and/or volar)	greater than one third	III
marked narrowing, may show bone-on-bone	cystic and sclerotic subchondral bone changes; variable osteophyte formation; lipping; erosion of the dorsoradial facet of the trapezium	major	IV

Capsular laxity increases with stage.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10