Hand Arthritis Surgery

Arthritis in the hands is commonly caused by the following factors:

1. Osteoarthritis (OA): The most common form, OA is a degenerative condition where the cartilage in the joints breaks down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It is often caused by wear and tear on the joints as people age.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and eventually joint damage. It can affect multiple joints, including those in the hands.
3. Injury or Trauma: Past injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, can damage the cartilage or bones in the hand, increasing the risk of arthritis developing later.
4. Genetics: A family history of arthritis can increase the risk of developing the condition, especially for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Overuse: Repetitive motions or excessive stress on the hand joints can lead to arthritis, especially in people who perform manual labor or repetitive tasks that strain the hands.
6. Age: The risk of arthritis increases with age, particularly osteoarthritis, as the joints naturally wear down over time.
7. Gender: Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, particularly after menopause, while men tend to develop osteoarthritis at an earlier age.

Hand arthritis surgery is a procedure designed to reduce pain and restore hand function when arthritis has caused significant damage. It’s aimed at improving your ability to perform daily tasks like gripping, typing, or even holding a cup. There are different types of surgery depending on your condition:

• Joint replacement (arthroplasty): Replaces the damaged joint with a prosthetic, often used for the thumb or fingers.
  
• Joint fusion (arthrodesis): Fuses two bones to eliminate painful movement, providing long-term pain relief.
• Tendon repair or realignment: Repairs or adjusts tendons to restore motion and strength. 

Surgery is typically considered when non-surgical treatments like medication, physical therapy, or injections no longer provide relief, and the pain or stiffness affects daily activities.

Your surgeon will help guide you in deciding if surgery is the right path, based on how much the condition is affecting your life.

There are several surgical options tailored to your specific needs:

• Joint replacement (Arthroplasty): This involves replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one, often used for the thumb or fingers.
• Joint fusion (Arthrodesis): This procedure fuses two bones together, eliminating painful joint movement. It’s usually recommended when a joint replacement is not suitable.
• Tendon repair or realignment: This is done when arthritis affects the tendons. The surgery restores the tendons’ function, improving mobility and strength.
• Synovectomy: Removes the inflamed lining of a joint to reduce pain and swelling. Each surgery aims to relieve pain, improve movement, and restore function, depending on the type and severity of the arthritis.

At Cutis Clinic Brisbane, you’ll receive care from Dr. Assad Bangash, a highly experienced plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeon with over 25 years of expertise. Trained in Britain, Dr. Bangash specializes in hand reconstruction and has a proven track record in providing personalized, high-quality surgical solutions.

His deep understanding of hand anatomy and advanced surgical techniques ensures optimal outcomes, whether you’re seeking relief from arthritis, injury, or congenital conditions. Trust Dr. Bangash in Brisbane to restore your hand function and improve your quality of life with the highest standard of care.

As with any surgery, risks include infection, nerve damage, stiffness, blood clots, and anesthesia complications. Your surgeon will discuss any risks with you at our Brisbane clinic beforehand.

Surgery duration depends on the type of procedure. It can range from 1 to 2 hours for joint replacement or fusion surgeries.

Recovery time varies by procedure. Joint replacement may take 6-8 weeks for initial healing, while fusion surgery can require 2-3 months for complete recovery.

Tendon repair recovery time can range from 4-6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the surgery.

Yes, physical therapy is a key part of recovery after hand arthritis surgery. It helps regain strength, flexibility, and movement in the hand and fingers. 

Physical therapy is tailored to your needs and is designed to help you recover as quickly and fully as possible, reducing the risk of stiffness or weakness.

Hand arthritis surgery can significantly reduce pain, but it may not completely eliminate it in all cases. Some may still have mild discomfort or stiffness, especially as they continue to heal. The goal of surgery is to provide long-lasting pain relief and restore hand function, enhancing your overall quality of life.

The results of hand arthritis surgery can be long-lasting, but overall, the success of your surgery will depend on factors like the severity of arthritis, your age, and how well you follow post-surgery care. Regular follow-ups with your surgeon will ensure that the results remain strong over time.

Many insurance plans cover hand arthritis surgery if it is deemed medically necessary. It’s best to verify coverage with your insurance provider beforehand.

Yes, hand arthritis surgery can significantly help restore hand function, depending on the type of procedure. For example…

Joint replacement surgery can replace damaged joints with prosthetics, improving mobility and restoring grip strength. 

Joint fusion, while it limits movement in the fused joint, can provide long-term pain relief and improve overall hand stability. 

Tendon repair surgeries also help restore motion and strength, particularly when arthritis has caused tendon damage. With proper rehabilitation and physical therapy, surgery can improve the ability to perform daily tasks such as gripping, typing, or holding objects, greatly enhancing overall hand function and quality of life.

Indications for surgery include persistent pain, difficulty performing daily tasks, significant joint damage visible on X-rays, and failed response to other treatments like medications or injections.