Joint Replacement Surgery of the Hand
Medical Author: John Morris, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What happens in joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement surgery involves replacing a destroyed joint
with an artificial joint. In knee or hip replacement surgery, the
artificial joint is made out of metal and plastic. In the case of
joint replacement in the hand, the new joint is most commonly
composed of silicone rubber or the patient's own tissues such as a portion of
tendon.
Joint replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is very
common. Each year, orthopedic surgeons perform thousands of joint
replacement surgeries in the U.S. (Most of these procedures are performed on the large weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees.)
Joint replacement surgery in the hand is typically used in treating
severe arthritis that involves the small joints of the hand.
The hips and knees receive continuous stress from walking,
running, sporting activity, or injury and are more commonly affected
by the wearing of cartilage (degenerative arthritis) than the hand
joints. However, the joints of the hand do experience stress in
everyday use, and because the hand joints are smaller, these stresses
are concentrated over a smaller surface area. The high ratio of
stress to surface area can cause the smooth joint cartilage to wear
over the years. As the cartilage degenerates, the underlying bone
becomes exposed. When the deteriorated joint moves, bone rubs upon
bone causing pain, swelling, limiting motion, and frequently causing
a grinding or popping sensation. Furthermore, forms of arthritis
that are caused by inflammation of the tissues lining the joint
frequently affect the small joints of the hands and wrists to cause
joint destruction. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis and
psoriatic arthritis.
Next: What are symptoms and signs of arthritis of the hand and wrist? »
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