DEVELOPMENT OF A SURFACE REPLACEMENT ARTHROPLASTY FOR PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINTS

Sixty-six surface replacement proximal interphalangeal prostheses with a CrCo proximal and an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene distal component were used in the hands of 47 patients (mean age, 58 years) over a 14-year period. There were 37 fingers with degenerative arthros is, 16 with traumatic arthrosis, and 13 with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean follow-up period was 4.5 years (range, 1-14 years). The results based on pain relief, motion, and deformity were good in 32 fingers, f air in 19, and poor in 15. Poor results occurred primarily in fingers with previous extensive injury or static deformity. Results with a dor sal approach were better than those with a lateral or palmar approach. Component loosening at the bone-cement junction beyond a minimal radi olucent line was seen in one late x-ray. Results in individuals change d little after the first year of follow-up care, but results overall i mproved during the course of the study, perhaps because of improvement s in surgical technique and experience.