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Small Joint Osteoarthritis

INTRO
CAUSES
SYMPTOMS
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENTS OPTIONS
COMPLICATIONS
ORTHOFIX SOLUTIONS

Small Joint Osteoarthritis

Small Joint Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the small joints of the hands, wrists, or feet. In Osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the end of the bones gradually breaks down causing pain, stiffness, deformity and reduced function. This condition is more frequent in women ages 45 or older.

Small joint ostoearthritis

Causes

The exact causes are not known, but several factors may increase the risk of developing small joint osteoarthritis, such as family history (but no specific gene has been identified thus far), joint injuries (especially at the base of thumbs and big toes), joint overuse (especially for hands and fingers joints), systemic inflammatory disease, and obesity. Small joint osteoarthritis may also manifest in joints that are already affected by pre-existing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. In some cases, changes in cartilage occurring with osteoarthritis may encourage the formation of crystals within the affected small joint, such as sodium urate or calcium pyrophosphate crystals, which may cause sudden aching pain and swelling. 30

Symptoms

The main symptoms are joint aching pain and stiffness, and reduced joint range of motion. Swelling, warmth, redness, tenderness over the joint, and a grating or crackling sound when moving the involved joint are also common signs. There can be painful spurs or bumps on the ends of fingers and toes. The severity of symptoms may vary from individual to individual, and between different joints. 26,27

Diagnosis

Clinical examination, blood test and imaging (X-rays) help the doctor to diagnose the condition. Sometimes a bone scan may be useful to diagnose osteoarthritis in its early stage, even if X-rays appear normal. 28

Treatment Options

Being a long-term condition, small joint osteoarthritis cannot be definitively cured, but it can gradually improve. Several treatments are available to improve the symptoms.

Mild symptoms may require simple measures such as regular physical exercises, a change in diet and lifestyle, hot and cold packs to the joints, orthotics and medications such as nonsteroidal or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief, surgery may be considered to repair, strengthen, realign or replace the damaged small joints. Several surgical techniques may be performed: arthrodesis (fusing the bones of the affected joint together, creating a pain free knuckle but sacrificing flexibility) or arthroplasty (removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial implant). The choice between arthrodesis or arthroplasty depends on the severity of joint disease, the patient’s age, type and level of activity. 29

Complications

The most serious post-surgical complications are failure of the fused bones to unite (nonunion), which could require further surgery.

MiniRail

Important safety information: Download the Product Instructions For Use.

The MiniRail External Fixation System consists of small rails and screws for fixation of small bones when a condition does not allow for implanting internal devices. The MiniRail is designed to help with a variety of deformity corrections and lengthening procedures of small bones and joints in the foot and upper limb.

KNOW MORE

26. NHS. Osteoarthritis. www.nhs.uk
27. WebMD 2020. 5 Common Types of Arthritis. www.webmed.com
28. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Arthritis of the Hand. www.orthoinfo.org
29. Arthritis Foundation. Hand Surgery for Arthritis. www.arthritis.org
30. Versus Arthritis. Osteoarthritis. www.versusarthritis.org

Logo Orthofix

ORTHOFIX SOLUTIONS

The Agile Nail is intended for insertion in the medullary canal of a femur for the alignment and the stabilization of fractures and for the correction of deformities. It is indicated for the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures and of femoral shaft fractures, in pediatric patients, with the exception of newborns and infants, and in adult patients with an appropriate medullary canal. The indications include:

  • Prophylactic nailing of impending pathologic fractures;
  • Fixation of femurs that have been surgically prepared (osteotomy);
  • Non-unions and malunions;
  • Reconstruction following tumor resection and grafting and bone lengthening and shortening.

The Orthofix Ankle Hindfoot Nailing (AHN) System is intended to facilitate tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (fusion). Specific indications include:

  • Avascular necrosis of the talus
  • Failed total ankle arthroplasty
  • Trauma (malunited tibial pilon fracture)
  • Severe deformity or instability as a result of talipes equinovarus, cerebral vascular accident, paralysis or other neuromuscular disease
  • Revision ankle arthrodesis
  • Neuroarthropathy
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Pseudoarthrosis
  • Post-traumatic arthrosis
  • Previously infected arthrosis
  • Charcot foot
  • Severe endstage degenerative arthritis
  • Severe defects after tumor resection
  • Pantalar arthrodesis

INTENDED PURPOSE
The Guided Growth Plate Systems are plates intended to provide bone fixation.

INDICATIONS FOR USE
The Guided Growth Plate Systems are indicated for gradually correcting deformities of long bones in growing children. Specific acquired or congenital patterns of bone deformity for which the device will be indicated include:
• Valgus, varus or flexion, extension deformities of the knee (femur and/or tibia);
• Valgus, varus, or plantar flexion deformities of the ankle.

Fitbone is an intramedullary lengthening system for limb lengthening of the femur and tibia.

The G-Beam Fusion Beaming System is intended to be inserted in the bones of the foot and ankle for alignment, stabilization and fixation of various fractures and osteotomies, fusions and reconstructions. It is indicated for fracture and osteotomy fixation, reconstruction procedures, non-unions and fusions of bones of the foot and ankle including metatarsals, cuneiforms, cuboid, navicular, calcaneus and talus. Specific example: medial and lateral column fusions resulting from neuropathic osteoarthropathy (Charcot osteoarthropathy).

The JuniOrtho Plating System is indicated for internal fixation and stabilization of femoral and tibial fractures, osteotomies, mal-unions and non-unions. Indications include:

  • Varus, valgus, rotational and/or shortening osteotomies
  • Femoral neck and/or pertrochanteric fractures
  • Proximal and distal metaphyseal fractures
  • Pathological and impeding pathological fractures

Use of the JuniOrtho Plating System is indicated in pediatric (excluding newborns) and small stature adult patients.

Indications:

  • Short Stature
  • Bone loss
  • Open fractures​
  • Non-union
  • Angular deformities

Indications:

  • Metacarpal and metatarsal lengthening
  • Calcaneal lengthening
  • Pediatric forearm lengthening
  • Metacarpal, metatarsal and phalangeal lengthening
  • Joint arthrodesis
  • Joint stiffness; Comminuted intra-articular fractures
  • Soft tissue correction in patients with neurological disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy)
  • Arthrodesis of the 1st carpo-metacarpal joint following soft tissue correction
  • Complex upper extremity deformities
  • Hand contractures
  • Wrist contractures
  • Indicated for pediatrics through adult

INTENDED PURPOSE

The SOLE™ Medial Column Fusion Plate (SOLE MCF) is intended to provide bone fixation.

INDICATIONS FOR USE

The SOLE MCF is indicated for orthopedic applications within the anatomical area of the foot and ankle, including but not limited to the medial column (consisting of the first metatarsal, medial cuneiform, navicular and talus). Specific indicated procedures include:

  • Arthrodesis
  • Joint depression stabilization
  • Fracture and/or osteotomy fixation
  • Reconstruction
  • Revision

to be performed for conditions such as Charcot neuroarthropathy.

The TL-HEX system is intended for limb lengthening by metaphyseal or epiphyseal distractions, fixation of open and closed fractures, treatment of non-union or pseudoarthrosis of long bones and correction of bony or soft tissue defects or deformities.

INDICATIONS:

  • Fractures
  • Non-unions/ malunions
  • Limb lengthening
  • Deformity corrections
  • For pediatrics, the same indications apply provided a growth plate is not compromised

“www.limbhealing.com”
This website is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a consultation with your physician or health care professional. The information provided herein is a service and should be viewed only as opinion. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed ethical and reliable, but completeness is not guaranteed.

ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL ABOUT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT INFORMATION.

This site is intended for U.S. patients and their caregivers.

CONTACT

ORTHOFIX MEDICAL INC.
3451 Plano Parkway
Lewisville, TX 75056
USA

Phone: 214.937.2000
Email: customerservice@orthofix.com

Full prescribing information can be found in product labeling.

Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

© 2022 Orthofix Srl
Agile Nail™, Ankle Hindfoot Nailing System™, eight-Plate Guided Growth System™, eight-Plate Guided Growth System+™, Fitbone™, G-Beam™, JuniOrtho™ Plating System, LRS Advanced™, Minirail™, SOLE™ Medial Column Fusion Plate, TL-HEX TrueLok Hexapod System™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Orthofix S.r.l. TrueLok is a trademark or registered trademark exclusively licensed to Orthofix Medical Inc., and its affiliate companies. The relevant short forms, as indicated in brackets next to each registered trademark, are also used alone as distinctive signs in the name and on behalf of Orthofix S.r.l. and are protected in accordance with the provisions set by the local Intellectual Property law.