Getting The Upper Hand On Severe Joint Pain (NAPS)—Help mayliterally be at the fingertips of the thousands of Americans who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or other damageto thefinger joints. While most people are familiar with replacement of a damaged hip or knee, many are unaware that a similar procedure is available for painful, disfigured small joints. A new Web site, www.Hand Health.net, offers consumer information and guidance about small joint reconstruction using spe- cially designed implants—a surgery that can greatly improve the ability for people with severe arthritis to function on a daily basis. “Small joint reconstruction gave me back mylife. If only more arthritis patients knew aboutit, they might be able to spare themselves years of chronic pain and loss of function,” said one Arizona resident who had a numberof her finger joints replaced. Hundreds of thousands of peo- ple worldwide have benefitted in the 30 years since the implants were pioneered by Alfred Swanson, M.D., F.A.C.S., who remains active as a surgeon with Ortho- paedic & Reconstructive Surgeons in Grand Rapids, MI. The new www.HandHealth.net Website provides details about the small joint reconstruction pro- cedure, and includes before and after photos and testimonials as well as a short quiz to help determine if hand surgery may be an option. Before small joint implants were developed, the only surgical treatments available were to remove the damaged joint surfaces, and either fuse the joint in a stiff functional position, or allow scar tissue to form between the Before and after small joint re- construction. The treatment is described at www.HandHealth.net. bone endsto give some joint mobil- ity. These procedures, while still indicated in many cases, often do not provide the mobility and stability needed for good function. Small joint reconstruction does not restore the joint to normal; however, it does relieve pain and allow for a greater range of motion. The surgery is recommended by hand surgeonsin select cases. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis affect nearly 40 million Americans, or about one in seven people. Womenare affected more than men, by a ratio of about threeto one. For further information about how small joint reconstruction may help you, talk with your physician. For more information about surgical treatments for the hand, or for a referral to a qualified hand surgeon in your area, contact the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) at (847) 384-8300 or visit the Public Information section of the ASSH site at www.hand-surg.org.
