WRISTS, FINGERS AND TOES

WRISTS and finger joints can be replaced, normally due to rheumatoid arthritis — and toe joints, typically as a result of osteoarthritis (wear and tear). Wrist replacement surgery can be difficult to perform due to the complex structure of the wrist and hand, it takes months to recover from and there are uncertainties about how well it works longterm. An incision is made in the wrist to remove some bone. The artificial parts of the replacement joint are then fixed to the remaining bone. Complications occur in around a quarter of cases.