Peg-in-hole, end-to-end, and V arthrodesis - A comparison of digital stabilization in fresh cadaveric specimens

The proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis is frequently performed to c orrect hammer toe deformities. This study was conducted to compare the inhe rent stability of the three proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodeses-peg- in-hole, end-to-end, and V constructs-in the sagittal plane by means of loa d-to-failure testing of 30 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens fixated with a 0.045 Kirschner wire. The peg-in-hole construct was associated with signifi cantly higher peak loads at failure compared with the other two procedures. Furthermore, the peg-in-hole construct had significantly higher stiffness values as compared with the V procedure. This study thus provides evidence that the peg-in-hole procedure is the most biomechanically stable surgical construct for proximal interphalangeal joint fusions under sagittal plane l oading.