It has long been thought that the surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint must replicate the normal anatomy. Common sense argues that biomechanical stability can be achieved by a simple ball-and-socket joint obviating complicated ligament reconstructions and trapezium replacements. Our argument is presented and the conclusions are based on the results of a very large series over a long period. A simple trapezium excision arthroplasty of the base of the thumb without ligamentous reconstructions is all that needs to be done to surgically solve painful osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint. Anything more is overoperating.