The term arthritis describes a condition characterized by degeneration of the cartilage around one or more joints. It can be caused by systemic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Osteoarthritis refers to the degeneration of cartilage around a joint which is not linked to a systemic illness. This is usually secondary to previous injury, infection, or just use of the joint over time. At Advanced Hand Surgery we treat osteoarthritis in the joints of the hand: The prevalence of osteoarthritis of the hand increases with age. It is more common in men than women until women reach menopause. The most commonly affected joints are those in the fingers and the base of the thumb. One does not have to suffer from the pain of osteoarthritis in the hand. There are a variety of successful surgical and nonsurgical modalities which can bring relief to patients suffering from this common disorder.