Think Arthritis is Untreatable in the Hands? Think Again.
Mar 18, 2014
As many patients will know, arthritis is a condition which can cause everything from mild to severe inflammation, pain and stiffness in the body’s joints. Most sufferers are older adults, yet the majority of those affected by rheumatoid arthritis are between the ages of 20 and 40, and on some occasions even children can experience arthritic joints. However, the fact about arthritis that sufferers are least aware of is the condition’s treatability.
When we think about treating arthritis, a common misconception is that all cases must result in painful joint replacements: major surgeries which can demand months of recovery. In fact, there are numerous non-surgical routes to follow before extreme measures are taken, many of which can be administered by your doctor.
Depending on the type of arthritis, splintage, physiotherapy, painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, and even such obvious methods as rest can be used to manage pain on a short-term basis. There are also newer treatments for rheumatoid arthritis which have modified the disease process so much that the need for surgery has been radically reduced. However, there are patients with functional problems that can only be helped by surgery.
At Austingraces, we will advise you if surgery is required. Tendon repair or transfer, fusion, synovectomy (removal of the ‘flimsy gluey’ tissue around the tendons), and numerous other procedures can be used to treat particular kinds of arthritis.
Our surgeon at Austingraces, Fortune Iwuagwu, is an expert in the most delicate kinds of arthritic hand surgery, and a full member of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand. As every case requires detailed individual analysis, the type of surgery you require will be discussed in your first consultation, and any anaesthesia, aftercare, and other issues will all be explained in as much detail as you need.
Arthritis is a complicated condition with still more complex treatments. However, with the help of personal support and expert surgery, you may be able to manage your condition to the best possible degree.