Eaton-Littler Stage (Thumb CMC Arthritis)
The Eaton-Littler classification of thumb carpometacarpal (basal-joint) osteoarthritis, by the radiographic joint findings, stages I/II/III/IV.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Eaton-Littler stage
- II - slight narrowing, osteophytes <2 mm
Result: Eaton-Littler stage II: slight narrowing of the TM joint, osteophytes less than 2 mm, subluxation up to one-third.
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What the result means
- Stage I
- Normal or slightly widened TM joint (synovitis), no significant subluxation.
- Stage II
- Slight narrowing, osteophytes < 2 mm, subluxation up to one-third.
- Stage III
- Marked narrowing, osteophytes >= 2 mm, subluxation > one-third; scaphotrapezial joint spared.
- Stage IV
- Pantrapezial arthritis (TM and scaphotrapezial joints involved).
What you enter
- Eaton-Littler stage
How this is calculated
Eaton RG, Littler JW. Ligament reconstruction for the painful thumb carpometacarpal joint. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1973;55(8):1655-1666. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.