Interphalangeal Joint Arthritis eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Osteoarthritis of the hand preferentially involves the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb.1 The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is affected less commonly.
The term "osteoarthritis" has been used in the past to describe degenerative changes in the articular cartilage. However, a more descriptive term might be primary idiopathic osteoarthritis.
Synonyms and related keywords: osteoarthritis of the hand, erosive osteoarthritis, distal interphalangeal joint, DIP joint, carpometacarpal joint, CMC joint, primary idiopathic osteoarthritis, arthrodesis, arthroplasty
Author: Carlos A Garcia-Moral, MD 2008