Arthroplasty (Joint Replacement): A Definitive Solution for Severe Hand Arthritis You’ve lived with the daily grind of severe arthritis for too long. The deep, aching pain, the frustrating stiffness, and the gradual loss of your ability to do the simplest things can feel like a life sentence. When your joints have worn down to the point […]
You’ve lived with the daily grind of severe arthritis for too long. The deep, aching pain, the frustrating stiffness, and the gradual loss of your ability to do the simplest things can feel like a life sentence. When your joints have worn down to the point of “bone-on-bone” pain, and non-surgical treatments no longer offer relief, it’s time for a definitive solution.
Arthroplasty, or joint replacement, is a life-changing procedure that can eliminate your pain, restore movement, and give you back the function you thought was lost forever. As a Harvard-trained specialist in complex hand and wrist reconstruction, Dr. Rod French performs these delicate procedures with the meticulous skill required to help you reclaim your life from the grip of severe arthritis.
Think of a rusty, grinding door hinge that can no longer move smoothly. Arthroplasty is like replacing that old, worn-out hinge with a brand new, perfectly smooth one.
In a hand joint replacement, the surgeon carefully removes the damaged and destroyed cartilage and bone surfaces of the arthritic joint. These surfaces are then replaced with either a precisely engineered artificial implant (typically made of durable materials like metal, plastic, or pyrocarbon) or using the patient’s own tissues. The goal of arthroplasty is twofold:
Joint replacement is a powerful solution for patients with severe, end-stage arthritis. You may be a candidate if:
Severe, end-stage arthritis is a condition of daily suffering. Every day you wait for surgery is another day filled with pain, frustration, and limitations. The wait for a joint replacement in the public system can be years long—a timeline that is simply unacceptable when your quality of life is so profoundly affected.
Choosing private care is a decision to end your suffering now. It provides immediate access to a specialist who can perform this life-changing procedure without the debilitating wait. It’s a direct path to pain relief, restored function, and getting back to the life you’ve been missing.
Recovery from a joint replacement is a journey toward a new, pain-free life, and it requires a commitment to rehabilitation.
Modern hand and finger implants are very durable. While longevity varies, most patients can expect their new joint to last for 10-15 years or longer, providing many years of pain relief and improved function.
Recovery involves an initial period of splinting for several weeks, followed by a dedicated hand therapy program. A return to most normal activities can be expected around 3-6 months after surgery.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia and is painless. Post-operative pain is a normal part of the healing process and is carefully managed with medication. This surgical pain is temporary and replaces the chronic, grinding pain of arthritis.
As with any joint replacement, risks are rare but can include infection, implant loosening or wear over time, stiffness, and nerve irritation. Dr. French will discuss all potential risks with you in detail.
