Dr. Morris earned his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from the University of San Diego and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from UCLA School of Medicine in 1990. After medical school, Dr. Morris completed his surgical internship and orthopedic surgery residency training at the University of Southern California (LAC/USC Medical Center).
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
cleaning of the abnormal cartilage and bone, including removal of bone
spurs,
fusion of the joint, and
joint replacement surgery.
The optimal surgical treatment of arthritis of the hand and wrist
varies from patient to patient and is based on many factors. These
factors include the patient's age, hand dominance, employment, level
of pain, functional goals, and underlying disease.
When is surgical cleaning of the joint the best alternative?
Surgical cleaning of the joint, or salvage procedure, is usually
performed in cases of early "wear and tear" arthritis where there are
painful bone spurs or, in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, where there
is a large amount of inflamed tissue. Removal of bone spurs is
especially helpful when the arthritis involves the joints at the ends
of the fingers (distal interphalangeal or DIP joints).
What is a joint fusion? When is it the best surgical
option?
Fusion of a joint involves removing the joint and
surgically "fusing" the bone ends so that the two bones effectively
become one solid bone. This procedure terminates all motion at that
joint and thus eliminates the pain. The benefit of fusion is pain
relief and the downside is elimination of motion at the fused joint,
which can hinder function. This surgical option is reserved for
patients with advanced arthritis.
Joint fusion is usually the best surgical option in patients who
are younger and very active. Younger patients may not be candidates
for joint replacement because of the increased stress demand on the
joints which accompany higher activity levels. This increased stress
demand can quickly wear out an artificial joint.
When is joint replacement surgery the best surgical option?
Joint replacement surgery in the hand is an excellent option for
treating arthritis of the hand in older, low-activity patients and
for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Joint replacement surgery can
provide pain relief, increase finger range of motion, and improve
hand function.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of
cartilage in the joints. Also known as degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis
can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease.
Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints, tendinitis, and organ inflammation. Treatment involves antiinflammatory medications and exercise.
Arthritis RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the