MCP Arthritis

synonyms: thumb metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis

MCP Arthritis ICD-9

MCP Arthritis Etiology / Epidemiology / Natural History

• Etiology: osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

MCP Arthritis Anatomy

• see Hand anatomy.

MCP Arthritis Clinical Evaluation

• Pain and loss of motion in MCP joint of affected digit. RA patients often have gross deformity / subluxation

MCP Arthritis Xray / Diagnositc Tests

• P/A, lateral and oblique views of affected finger / thumb demonstrate varying degrees of Joint space narrowing, sclerosis, osteophytosis

MCP Arthritis Classification / Treatment

• Fingers-rheumatoid arthritis
  Treatment ; constrained hinged silicone arthroplasty. Consider unconstrained metalplastic or pyrolytic carbon arthroplasty depending on ligament/soft-tissue stability.
• Fingers-osteo/posttraumatic arthritis
  Treatment = unconstrained metalplastic or pyrolytic carbon arthroplasty
• Thumb
  Treatment = MCP arthrodesis: Optimal position = 0°-15° flexion.

MCP Arthritis Associated Injuries / Differential Diagnosis

• PIP arthritis
• DIP Arthritis
• Basilar joint arthritis
• Gamekeepers thumb
• Rolando fracture

MCP Arthritis Complications

• Implant fracture
• Infection
• Pain
• Instabitlity
• CRPS

MCP Arthritis Follow-up Care

• Average annual failure rate=2.1%; sixteen-year survival rate = 70.3% for pyrolytic carbon arthroplasty.(Cook, SK, JBJS 1999;81A:635).

MCP Arthritis Review References

Greens Hand Surgery