FUNCTIONAL-STUDY OF SWANSON METACARPOPHAL ANGEAL ARTHROPLASTIES IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

To validate a functional hand evaluation and to obtain an historical c ontrol group in a project of metacarpophalangeal total joint prosthesi s, we reviewed our experience over a ten year period of Swanson's meta carpophalangeal joint arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis. Forty-nine implants in fourteen rheumatoid arthritis patients were reviewed clin ically, radiologically and evaluated by the Arthritic Hand Function Te st. The mean follow up was 4.5 years. All patients were ready to repea t the experience except one. The mean metacarpophalangeal joint range of motion was 37 degrees (18 degrees to 55 degrees) with a mean 7 degr ees ulnar deviation. Although their functional performance was 50% of normal, all patients completed the test. The strength was generally gr eater on the operated side. The low complication rate (6% fracture rat e) with the successfull functional outcome of Swanson's metacarpophala ngeal joint arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis will be the gold stan dard for any new implant to develop.