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 your patients. Matthew M. Tomaino, MD, MBA, at the University of Rochester Medical Center has divided this issue into four sections: * thumb basal joint arthritis & advanced disease * metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis * interphalangeal joint arthritis * finger CMC joint arthritis.