Richard Zinn

Richard Zinn is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with a special interest in breast and cosmetic surgery.
1 Verona Lane 3002 Melbourne, Victoria
Phone: (03) 8658 6655

Arthritis

Procedure

Procedure: Arthritis of the hand. Basal joint arthroplasty (thumb). Distal interphalygneal joint fusion
Indication: Management of painful and debilitating basal joint arthritis (thumb). Management of painful, crooked and disfigured distal interphalangeal joint of fingers
Duration: 20 minutes – 90 minutes
Associated procedures: Joint fusions. Arthroplasty
Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia and sedation, or general anaesthesia
Incision: Small incision over affected joints. In basal joint arthritis, incision may extend into forearm for a tendon harvest
Length of hospital stay: Day case
Recovery: Basal joint arthritis is six – eight weeks in a splint. Distal interphalygneal joint fusion is two weeks and then six weeks in mallet splints immobilizing the tips of the fingers