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There are artificial joints available for the finger. These silicone implants are used by hand surgeons primarily to replace the MCP joint, which are commonly referred to as your knuckles. The implant, or “prosthesis” (prosthesis meaning artificial body part), acts as a spacer to fill the gap created when the arthritic surfaces of the MCP joint are removed.
What Parts Of The Finger Are Involved ?
The finger joints work like hinges when the fingers bend and straighten. The main knuckle joint is the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP joint). It is formed by the connection of the metacarpal bone in the palm of the hand with the finger bone, or phalange. Each finger has three phalanges, separated by two interphalangeal joints (IP joints). The one closest to the MCP joint (knuckle) is called the proximal IP joint (PIP joint). The joint near the end of the finger is called the distal IP joint (DIP joint).
Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones together. Several ligaments hold the joints together in the finger. These ligaments join to form the joint capsule of the finger joint, a watertight sac around the joint.
What Should I Do To Prepare For Surgery?
The decision to proceed with surgery must be made jointly by you and your surgeon. You need to understand as much about the procedure as possible. If you have concerns or questions, you should talk to your surgeon.
Once you decide on surgery, you need to take several steps. Your surgeon may suggest a complete physical examination by your regular doctor. This exam helps ensure that you are in the best possible condition to undergo the operation.
On the day of your surgery, you will probably be admitted to the hospital early in the morning. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. The length of time you spend in the hospital depends a lot on you.
Is Surgery Necessary To Treat Trigger Finger?
If the problem does not resolve, a surgery to release the tendon may be necessary. This procedure is a same day surgery that can be done under local anesthetic or regional nerve block. A small (less than 2 cm) incision is made in the skin, and the tight portion of the flexor tendon sheath is released.
Following the procedure, a sterile bandage is applied to the site of surgery. This bandage is removed after a few days, and full use of the finger may then begin. Activity of the finger is encouraged as this will help prevent new adhesions (scar) from forming where the surgery was performed. Full recovery is expected for surgery.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message style=”square” message_box_color=”mulled_wine”]
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