I'll try and keep this short, I had very bad OA in my big toe joint, very painful and fused from bone spurs. Went to 2 foot Doctors, both wanted to fuse it. It was already fused and I was having a hard time walking and was walking on the side of my foot, which made my little toe hurt. Thur the internet I found out about big toe joint replacement, well I found a doctor about an hour away, had the surgery last Jan and have been pain free ever since. Now I can wear shoes other than tennis shoes. I know this is your hand, but can't they do a joint replacement? I'd hate to lose any use of my hands.