PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS FOR SWANSON METACARPOPHALANGEAL ARTHROPLASTY INRHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

The most frequently affected joints in patients suffering from rheumat oid arthritis are the metacarpophalangeal joints [Nalebuff EA (1969) S urg Clin N Am 49, 823-832]. Since 1968 Swanson silastic implants have been used to treat this joint disorder. In this paper we have attempte d to look for predictors of good outcome of metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty by examining 102 consecutive joints, assessing patients o bjectively, radiographically and subjectively. In the search for predi ctors of good outcome lower pre-operative ulnar deviation, greater pos t-operative range of movement and fewer number of joints replaced seem to be the most valuable. Age, X-ray grade and duration of disease app ear relatively unimportant.