What kinf od procedure is required to removed an incomfortable bone spur from my!


Question: Most bone spurs on fingers are caused by osteoarthritis. Nodules affecting the outer row of joints (distal interphalangeal joints) are called Heberdens nodes and the spurs that affect the next row in (proximal interphalageal joints) are called Bouchards nodes. Bone spurs can also be caused by an injury to a finger joint. In the process of trying to heal the injury to the bone cause by the trauma to the finger joint the body sometimes over compensates and in the process causes calcium build up which forms into a bone spur.

To confirm a diagnosis, your doctor may order imaging tests to get a look at your joints and bones. Some common ways of looking for bone spurs include:

X-ray exams
Computerized tomography (CT) scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

Surgery to remove bone spurs can be done in an open procedure, meaning the surgeon cuts open the skin around your joint to gain access to your joint. Or bone spur removal may be done arthroscopically, meaning the surgeon makes several small incisions to insert special surgical tools. During arthroscopic surgery, your surgeon uses a tiny camera to see inside your joint.

Surgery is sometimes the best treatment for hallux rigidus, especially if the more conservative measures are not working for you. The two most common surgical procedures are called a chilectomy (pronounced "K-eye-leck-toe-me") or an arthrodesis (fusion). The chilectomy is a procedure done to remove the bone spurs. This often helps if the spurs are causing a block to the joint motion. However, if the joint cartilage is all worn off, a chilectomy may not help the pain.

The type of surgery that is recommended is probably best described by reviewing the joint that is affected. I have listed below common bone spur surgeries when one of the fingers is involved:

(Please refer to the attached site at bottom of page to look at diagrams mentioned)

Arthritis of the DIP joint
Figure 14 demonstrates significant painful arthritis and joint destruction. Although small joint replacement can be accomplished for patients with arthritis without deformity, for most patients with arthritis, a fusion is often recommended (Figure 15). Figure 15 demonstrates a fusion of a painful DIP joint.

PIP joint (Figure 16).
The PIP joint is extremely important to hand function and flexibility. Figure 17 demonstrates destructive changes on x-ray of a painful PIP joint. It is often referred to as the
Answers: Most bone spurs on fingers are caused by osteoarthritis. Nodules affecting the outer row of joints (distal interphalangeal joints) are called Heberdens nodes and the spurs that affect the next row in (proximal interphalageal joints) are called Bouchards nodes. Bone spurs can also be caused by an injury to a finger joint. In the process of trying to heal the injury to the bone cause by the trauma to the finger joint the body sometimes over compensates and in the process causes calcium build up which forms into a bone spur.

To confirm a diagnosis, your doctor may order imaging tests to get a look at your joints and bones. Some common ways of looking for bone spurs include:

X-ray exams
Computerized tomography (CT) scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

Surgery to remove bone spurs can be done in an open procedure, meaning the surgeon cuts open the skin around your joint to gain access to your joint. Or bone spur removal may be done arthroscopically, meaning the surgeon makes several small incisions to insert special surgical tools. During arthroscopic surgery, your surgeon uses a tiny camera to see inside your joint.

Surgery is sometimes the best treatment for hallux rigidus, especially if the more conservative measures are not working for you. The two most common surgical procedures are called a chilectomy (pronounced "K-eye-leck-toe-me") or an arthrodesis (fusion). The chilectomy is a procedure done to remove the bone spurs. This often helps if the spurs are causing a block to the joint motion. However, if the joint cartilage is all worn off, a chilectomy may not help the pain.

The type of surgery that is recommended is probably best described by reviewing the joint that is affected. I have listed below common bone spur surgeries when one of the fingers is involved:

(Please refer to the attached site at bottom of page to look at diagrams mentioned)

Arthritis of the DIP joint
Figure 14 demonstrates significant painful arthritis and joint destruction. Although small joint replacement can be accomplished for patients with arthritis without deformity, for most patients with arthritis, a fusion is often recommended (Figure 15). Figure 15 demonstrates a fusion of a painful DIP joint.

PIP joint (Figure 16).
The PIP joint is extremely important to hand function and flexibility. Figure 17 demonstrates destructive changes on x-ray of a painful PIP joint. It is often referred to as the



The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories