LONG-TERM RESULTS FOLLOWING DIGITAL FLEXOR TENOSYNOVECTOMY IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

A retrospective review of flexor tenosynovectomy for rheumatoid flexor tenosynovitis in the palm and digit was performed. Fifteen patients ( 61 fingers) were reviewed for at least 1 year (average, 4 years) after surgery. An average of 2.2 cm improvement in active flexion (pulp to distal palmar crease) was observed. A significant difference in preope rative and postoperative results was found. Sixty-seven percent of dig its were classified as having excellent or good results, 21% fair resu lts, and 12% poor results. The clinical recurrence rate was 31% and th e reoperation rate was 15%. Only minimal complications from the extend ed surgical approach were observed. Debulking the fibro-osseous canal by excising a slip of flexor digitorum superficialis was associated wi th a reduction in the recurrence and reoperation rates.