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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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Erosion Identification in Metacarpophalangeal Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis using High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography
Published on: October 6, 2023
Metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
The Journal of Hand Surgery
|February 1, 2011
Summary
Metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis causes significant pain and disability. Treatment options range from conservative measures like medication and injections to surgical interventions such as arthroplasty and arthrodesis, with newer joint replacement techniques showing promise.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Rheumatology
- Hand Surgery
Background:
- Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint arthritis leads to substantial pain and functional impairment.
- Common causes include osteoarthritis, inflammatory conditions, trauma, and crystal deposition.
- Current treatments encompass conservative and surgical approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current treatment modalities for metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis.
- To discuss the efficacy of both nonsurgical and surgical interventions.
- To highlight emerging treatment options in joint replacement.
Main Methods:
- Review of nonsurgical treatments: activity modification, anti-inflammatory drugs (oral and topical), splinting, and corticosteroid injections.
- Discussion of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for inflammatory arthritis.
- Analysis of surgical options: arthroplasty (joint replacement) and arthrodesis (joint fusion).
Main Results:
- Nonsurgical treatments offer effective pain relief and functional improvement for MCP arthritis.
- Topical diclofenac sodium represents a newer, FDA-approved conservative option.
- Arthrodesis is a reliable solution for thumb MCP arthritis, while arthroplasty is common for finger MCP joints.
- Newer unconstrained surface replacement arthroplasties show potential for specific patient groups.
Conclusions:
- A spectrum of treatments exists for MCP joint arthritis, tailored to etiology and severity.
- Conservative management remains a cornerstone, with evolving topical options.
- Surgical interventions, particularly arthroplasty with advanced implant designs, offer viable solutions for advanced disease.
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