Arthritis is a disease of the joints, the area where two bones come together. Since there are 27 bones in the hand alone, arthritis can easily find a place to prosper and bring pain and discomfort to patients.



This issue of Hand Clinics has been divided into the following sections: thumb basal joint arthritis, advanced disease, metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis, interphalangeal joint arthritis and finger CMC joint arthritis.



Key words: arthroplasty, ligament reconstruction, metacarpal extension osteotomy, trapeziometacarpal arthroscopy, synovectomy, trapeziectomy, suspensionplasty, joint replacement, rheumatoid, MP joint fusion and resection, joint arthritis