Knuckle (MCP) joint replacement

An operation that replaces a damaged knuckle joint with an implant — either a one-piece silicone spacer or a two-part implant that resurfaces both sides of the joint. It aims to relieve pain and keep some movement; implants can break, loosen or need further surgery.

Related terms

• Anatomy

  Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint

  The joint at the base of each finger, between a metacarpal bone and the first bone of the finger — the knuckle seen when making a fist. It bends and straightens the finger at its base and lets the fingers spread apart.

• Procedure

  Arthrodesis

  An operation that removes the worn joint surfaces and holds the two bones still until they grow together into one, so the joint no longer moves. Its aim is to reduce pain and give a stable joint when other treatment has not helped. Movement at that joint is lost permanently, and the bones do not always join.

Articles mentioning this term

1. Patient information · 11 October 2026

   Knuckle joint arthritis

   Knuckle (MCP) joint pain and swelling: causes beyond osteoarthritis, tests, warning signs, non-surgical care and joint replacement.

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