C. Chauhan et al., PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS FOR SWANSON METACARPOPHALANGEAL ARTHROPLASTY INRHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS, Journal of orthopaedic rheumatology, 8(2), 1995, pp. 106-110
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.