If the prescribed non-operative treatment options fail to provide relief, then surgery is generally considered. There are a variety of surgical options. The option chosen should be one that has a good chance of providing long-term pain relief and a return to good function.
Unlike knee and hip replacements, joint replacements in the wrist and hand made out of metal and plastic are not always good answers for the treatment of the arthritic hand. The more reliable procedures are those in which bones are removed or fused. While limiting some mobility, these procedures have great outcomes in relieving pain and restoring function.
