Joint Replacement

In a joint replacement, the abnormal structures of the joint are removed and replaced. These structures are bone, cartilage, and synovium. Removing these tissues removes the painful, worn bone surfaces and makes room for new artificial parts, called implants, that are inserted into the prepared bones.

Implants are special types of metal or plastic, or specific kinds of carbon-coated materials. The new parts allow the bones to move with little or no pain.

Replacements can be inserted into the middle joints in the finger, called proximal interphalangeal or PIP joints. They can also be placed at the knuckle joints, called metacarpophalangeal or MP joints, at the base of the finger where it meets the hand. The exception is the thumb, where the lateral forces are so high that implants fail quickly. For this reason, the thumb MP joint is usually fused when painful.

Implants can also be placed into the wrist at the distal radius and into the carpus, or placed solely into the distal ulna. At the elbow, a total elbow replacement can replace the proximal ulna and distal humerus, or just the radial head can be replaced. Fingertip joints are too small to receive implants, so they are often fused if arthritis is too painful.

Causes

In a normal joint, bones have a smooth surface made from articular cartilage. This cartilage is on the end of the bones and allows one bone to glide against another. A thin layer of synovial fluid greases the joints and acts like oil in an engine to keep parts gliding smoothly.

When the articular cartilage wears out, problems develop, and a joint replacement may be needed. This can happen because of damage or abnormal joint fluid. Joints may become stiff and painful. This is arthritis, the end result of these changes.

Arthritis can occur from genetic risk in combination with each person’s life and lifestyle. This is often called “wear and tear” osteoarthritis. Arthritis can also occur after a fracture or ligament sprain where the joint is chronically unstable. It can also occur from inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout in the hands.

Treatment

Surgery is performed by opening the injured joint and removing the worn tissues. Soft tissues are preserved or repaired when they are loose or not functioning well. Each joint has unique characteristics, and there may be several different implant styles available.

Each implant may be made of a different material and may be secured within the bone in different ways. Some implants are soft and flexible and simply rest within the bone, with some intended motion between the implant and the bone. Other implants are solid and rigid and may be pressed tightly into bone where motion between implant and bone is not intended. Other rigid implants may be cemented into bone to gain stability.

Each implant style has unique advantages and disadvantages. Your surgeon will describe these options and select the implant best suited for you.

Implants can fail over time by breaking, loosening, or having the bone around them resorb or fracture. Some total joints can dislocate. They can often be revised or redone. If there is severe bone loss or infection, a new implant may not be advised. In that case, a fusion where the two bones are linked together to heal can relieve pain, but this removes all joint motion. Another alternative may be removal of the implant without placing a new one.

Recovery

Hand therapy supervised by a trained hand therapist is almost always required after any joint replacement surgery, usually for several weeks to months. Special splints are generally used depending on which joint was replaced and how the surgery was done.

To ensure the best results after surgery, follow your surgeon and therapist’s directions. Call your surgeon if you experience a sudden increase in pain or swelling, a change in function, or if you have specific questions about your new joint or joints.

This mobile-friendly version is adapted from patient education content originally provided by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.