Osteoarthritis of the Interphalangeal and Metacarpophalagneal Joints of the Hand

Hand surgeons frequently treat osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal (IP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Age, female gender, occupation, genetics, biomechanics, obesity, and joint laxity have been implicated in the progression of disease. Physical examination and standard three-view imaging of the hand aid in initial work up. Many conservative treatments exist, including physical therapy, splinting, anti-inflammatories, and injection of corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid.  With the failure of conservative therapies, surgical management is dictated by the particular joint in question. The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of fingers and IP joint of the thumb are more commonly treated by arthrodesis, whereas proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints are treated with arthroplasty. Likewise, MCP  joints of the fingers are typically managed with arthroplasty. The thumb MCP joint is more commonly fused.  This review contains 7 figures, 4 tables, and 54 references. Keywords: hand osteoarthritis, interphalangeal joint, metacarpophalangeal joint, anatomy, arthroplasty, silicone, arthrodesis, biomechanics, outcomes