|  | Conditions Treatments | Arthritis

Boutonnieres Disease

A complication of rheumatoid arthritis or certain joint injuries, Boutonnieres Deformity is not an independent ailment. A Boutonnieres Deformity, if diagnosed properly, can be treatable through both surgical and non-surgical methods.

  1. What is Boutonnieres Deformity?

    • Boutonnieres Deformity is a condition that causes a finger to become permanently bent or crooked and incapable of being straightened out without using the opposite hand or some other external force to force it straight.

    Anatomy of the Finger

    • The finger has two joints, the distal joint, which is at the end of the finger, and the proximal joint, which is in the middle of the finger. The extensor tendon moves these joints. The extensor tendon is connective tissue, which begins in the muscles of the forearm, and continues down, through the finger, allowing it to bend and straighten.

    How a Boutonnieres Deformity Affects a Finger

    • A Boutonnieres Deformity occurs when the proximal joint becomes permanently damaged, leaving the finger with a crooked appearance. This deformity occurs when damage occurs to one of the extensor tendons.

    Causes of Boutonnieres Deformities

    • Boutonnieres Deformities can be the result of an injury on or near the proximal joint, which causes an inflammation to this joint or of a chronic condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

    Treatment Options

    • Depending upon the specific cause of the deformity, you can treat a Boutonnieres Deformity through either surgical or non-surgical techniques. In some cases, simply splinting and exercising the injured finger can alleviate the problem. In more severe cases, surgical remedy, up to fusion of the joint, may become necessary.

Arthritis - Related Articles