Topic Overview

Ifosteoarthritisin the joints of thehandsorfeetis so severe that function is impossible (rare with osteoarthritis), surgery may allow some pain-free motion.

In the hands, the goal is enough pain-free motion to allow the person to do basic daily activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing. Surgery for severe arthritis in the small joints of the hands is more commonly seen withrheumatoid arthritis.

In the feet, the goals of surgery are usually to allow the person to be able to wear shoes comfortably and to walk as normally as possible. Surgery to repair bunionsorhammer toesis fairly common in osteoarthritis.

Joining together (fusion) of smaller joints may be more commonly used than replacement.