What is RA and what is post-operative therapy for metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthroplasty?
In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks the lining of your joints. This makes your joints swollen, stiff and painful. the small joints of your hands are usually affected first. Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthroplasty with implants is the replacement of painful knuckle joints with artificial knuckle joints.The surgery is done because RA can also cause damage to the knuckle joints, making them unable to straighten out and causing them to lean over toward the small finger. For eight to 12 weeks after the surgery, patients wear hand splints and perform exercises to maintain and increase motion in the healing hand. This is known as post-operative therapy.
