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Using our hands to perform daily activities like writing, typing, or eating, is something many of us take for granted. If your ability to use your hands is affected by pain, stiffness, and immobility in your fingers due to arthritis or injury, finger joint replacement might be right for you. Finger joint replacement is a surgery that uses prosthesis to replace the joint in your finger, much like a knee replacement. It is meant to help give the patient improved hand function, reduce pain, and improve the way the hand looks. The goals of this procedure are to help restore motion and decrease pain for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, post-traumatic injuries, and fingers that have not aligned properly. Finger joint replacement is ideal for patients who have not had any success with conservative treatment, and it is an excellent alternative to fusing finger joints that are causing pain and discomfort. “The fingers are very complex. There are no muscles, just ligaments and tendons. Fusing the bones would eliminate all motion. Finger joint replacement allows most people to have more function, be more active, and regain strength in the hand,” said Dr. Gary Sherman, hand surgeon at Robinwood Orthopaedic Specialty Center. Dr. Michael Stowell, a hand surgeon at Mid-Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists, and Dr. Sherman both use the new pyrocarbon implants for the knuckle joint, where the finger connects to the hand. “The newer pyrocarbon implant has proven to be a huge benefit for folks with degenerative arthritis because it’s so durable and will last for many years,” Dr. Stowell said. “The pyrocarbon implant is made of material that glides similarly to human cartilage.”
Replacing finger joints is an outpatient procedure which usually lasts about two hours. "The procedure is generally done using an anesthetic but can also be done with a local nerve block if necessary. After the surgery, it’s important to begin a physical therapy program that will help you continue to heal," Dr. Sherman said. After surgery, patients will be in a splint for the first few days. Healing of the skin tissues takes one to two weeks, and then a physical therapist will begin early range-of-motion therapy followed by strengthening therapy. Patients can expect to see results within four to six weeks of the surgery. If you are interested in learning more about finger joint replacement, contact Mid-Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists at 301-739-7900 or Robinwood Orthopaedic Specialty Center at 301-665-4950 for more information.
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The kind of prosthesis used depends on the finger joint being replaced. Your physician will discuss your options with you depending on the outcome you hope to achieve. “Each joint in each finger has its own characteristics. The implant that is selected is somewhat specific for that joint,” Dr. Stowell said. 
