finger arthritis
Arthritis of the digits is unfortunately very common. It can lead to disfigurement, pain and stiffness and hence loss of hand function. Non-operative options include injections, splinting, anti-inflammatory medications.
Depending upon which joint is involved there are several surgical options available. The joint can be replaced, fused (made stiff by healing the joint together) or in special circumstances removed (amputation). Obviously the aim is to produce a painless joint, but sometimes the trade off is loss of range of movement.
A very good option for finger arthritis is a silicone joint replacement. It provides excellent pain relief and a mobile finger. The operation involves opening the joint, removing the ends of the bones which make up the joint, and then replacing the joint with a silicone spacer (rubber knuckle). As the painful arthritic joint is removed, patients typically experience good pain relief. Range of motion is usually the same as was experienced prior to the operation. Some may have improved range of motion after the procedure.