CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Hand arthritis surgery
ARTHROSCOPY AND ARTHRODESIS
Surgeons at our HCA UK hand and wrist units can help to restore mobility and reduce pain in your fingers
About hand arthritis surgery
With your fingers and thumbs are in constant use surgery can eases pain and restore mobility in an arthritic hand joint. Wear and tear can mean an increased risk of osteoarthritis in your knuckles, thumb joint and the joints at the end of your fingers.
The cartilage cushioning your finger joints can wear away over time, causing your finger bones to grind together. This makes it hard to move and causes pain. Hand surgery can often give pain relief and restore mobility. The two most common types are arthroplasty and fusion (arthrodesis).
In arthroplasty, a joint is removed from the hand and replaced with artificial surfaces made from synthetic material. This is usually carried out on the knuckles and restores shape, stability and some mobility.
In fusion (arthrodesis), two of the hand bones are fused together. This inhibits mobility but provides pain relief.
Need to know
Both arthroplasty and fusion surgery are performed under general anaesthetic. The procedure takes between one and two hours.
For an arthroplasty, a small cut is made in your hand and the worn bone ends. An implant is put in its place and the area closed.
For fusion surgery, the worn joint surfaces are sculpted to match each other, and fixed firmly together using screws or plates.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Your consultant may recommend a splint while your hand recovers from surgery. You'll have a follow-up appointment with a hand therapist after two weeks. They will help you move your hand and manage the scar. You'll have a regular follow-up appointment with the hand therapist.
Our Hand arthritis locations
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
City of London - 31 Old Broad Street
City of London 31 Old Broad Street EC2N 1HT London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
The Waterfront Business Park, Beaufort House Elstree Road, Elstree WD6 3BS Hertfordshire
Golders Green Outpatients
Roman House, 296 Golders Green Road Golders Green NW11 9PY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.