The Optimal Position for Arthrodesis of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joints of the Border Digits.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the functional characteristics of various arthrodesis angles of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the border fingers. METHODS: The dominant hands of 48 volunteers were tested using custom orthoses to simulate PIP joint arthrodesis. For the index finger (IF), orthoses were made in 25°, 40°, and 55° of flexion (IF25, IF40, and IF55). For the little finger (LF), orthoses were made in 30°, 55°, and 70° of flexion (LF30, LF55, and LF70). Twenty-three volunteers performed grip and pinch (key, tripod, and pulp) strength testing with and without simulated arthrodeses and 25 volunteers performed the Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT) with and without simulated arthrodeses. Simulated conditions of arthrodesis were compared with the unrestricted state and with each other within the same finger. RESULTS: For grip and pinch strength, there were no significant differences between simulated arthrodesis angles. Compared with baseline, grip was significantly weaker for all 6 simulated arthrodesis angles. Pinch was tested with simulated IF arthrodesis only; key pinch was significantly weaker for all tested angles and tripod pinch for IF25 and IF40. For JHFT, the 3 experimental angles for the index or ring finger did not show any statistically significant differences for any subtest. Volunteers were slower at completion times for all simulated arthrodesis angles compared to baseline times. This was significant in 5 of 7 tasks for IF25, 3 of 7 tasks for IF40, and 4 of 7 tasks for IF55. Index finger angle of flexion of 40° was significantly faster than IF55 for writing and IF25 for lifting large, light objects. For the LF, LF30 was significantly slower than baseline for 6 of 7 tasks, LF55 for 3 of 7 tasks, and LF70 for 5 of 7 tasks. Index finger angle of flexion of 55° was significantly faster than LF70 for simulated feeding and IF30 for lifting large, heavy objects. CONCLUSIONS: No border digit PIP joint arthrodesis angle was superior for grip and pinch strength. Based on JHFT, IF40 and LF55 might be preferred arthrodesis angles. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intermediate arthrodesis angles may provide the best function for patients undergoing PIP joint arthrodesis of the IF and LF.

Hand and wrist joint procedures in patients with scleroderma: a systematic review.

We aimed to examine if joint procedures in hands and wrists of patients with scleroderma could be performed without major morbidity and conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess this hypothesis. Studies were identified in four different databases; soft tissue procedures in scleroderma patients were excluded, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Seven studies out of an initial total of 203 articles were included. One-hundred and twelve scleroderma patients with a total of 402 joint procedures in the hand and wrist were identified. A low complication incidence, comparable with that of non-sclerodermic population, in terms of infection, wound healing problems, and nonunion was reported in all studies. The application of joint procedures in scleroderma hands and wrists seems to be associated with low morbidity.

Metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint arthrodesis: a comparative study between tension band and compression screw fixation.

A retrospective, comparative cohort study was performed of metacarpophalangeal or proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis with either tension band (n = 28) or compression (Acutrak Mini) screw (n = 29) methods. We compared rate of union, healing time, complications, and re-operation rate. Union was achieved in 26/28 (92.8%) of the tension band group (9.4 weeks) and 24/28 (85.7%) of the compression screw group (9.8 weeks). Only 28 patients in the screw group were assessed for union as one patient in the screw group sustained a fracture at the time of insertion and was converted to tension band fixation. The complication rate was 8/28 (28.6%) in the tension band group and 8/29 (27.6%) in the compression screw group. Re-operation rate was 9/28 (32.1%) in the tension band group and 1/29 (3.6%) in the compression screw group. Our findings indicate that bone healing, healing time, and complications are similar in both groups. The tension band technique had a significantly higher re-operation rate (hardware removal), but was the technique for salvage following failure of the screw technique.

Estudio comparativo de artrodesis de dedos: banda de tensión vs tornillo compresivo / Finger atrhodesis: a comparative study with tension band a fusion technique

Objective: There are many different techniques for finger arthrodesis our purpose is to compare the results of metarcophalangeal (MP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis, with tension band wire technique vs compression screw. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with arthrodesis of the MP and PIP joint between 2006 and 2009, with a tension band wire technique (N = 28) and Mini-Acutrak screw (N = 29). We compared rates and times of union and the incidence of complications. Results: The union rate of the tension band group was 92.9 percent and 85.7 percent for the screw group, at 9.4 and 9.8 weeks respectively. The complications rate was 28.6 percent for tension band wire technique and 27.6 for the screw technique. The reoperation rate was 32.1 percent for the tension band wire technique and 3.6 percent for the screw group, with remove of 25 percent of the tension band. Discussion: Both surgical techniques had a similar rate of union and complications, but with significantly more re-operation to remove implants in the tension band group, which is an important factor to consider when choosing the surgical technique.

Objetivo: Existen múltiples técnicas de atrodesis de dedos, por lo que nuestro objetivo es compara resultados de artrodesis de metacarpofalángicas e interfalángicas proximales de los dedos mediante banda de tensión vs tornillo compresivo. Material y Método: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, comparativo, de pacientes operados de artrodesis interfalángica proximal o metacarpofalángica de lo dedos primarias entre los años 2006 y 2009. Se analizaron 28 pacientes con banda de tensión y 29 con técnica de tornillo compresivo sin cabeza Mini-Acutrak, comparando tasas y tiempos de consolidación e incidencia de complicaciones. Resultados: Se obtuvo una tasa de consolidación de 92,9 por ciento para el grupo banda de tensión y 85,7 por ciento para el grupo de tornillos, a las 9,4 y 9,8 semanas respectivamente (sin diferencia significativa para ambas variables). La tasa de complicaciones fue de 28,6 por ciento para la bandea de tensión y de 27,6 por ciento para la técnica con tornillo. La tasa de reoperaciones fue de 32,1 por ciento para la técnica con banda de tensión y de 3,6 por ciento con tornillo, determinado por el 25 por ciento de las bandas de tensión, sin haber retiro de tornillos. Discusión; Ambas técnicas quirúrgicas muestran una similar tasa de consolidación y complicaciones, pero existe unna significativa mayor tasa de reoperaciones para el retiro de material de osteosíntesis en el grupo de banda de tensión, lo cual es un factor importante a considerar en la elección de la técnica quirúrgica, siendo en este sentido, el tornillo una mejor opción.