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 preoperative and postoperative results was found. Sixty-seven percent of digits were classified as having excellent or good results, 21% fair results, and 12% poor results. The clinical recurrence rate was 31% and the reoperation rate was 15%. Only minimal complications from the extended surgical approach were observed. Debulking the fibro-osseous canal by excising a slip of flexor digitorum superficialis was associated with a reduction in the recurrence and reoperation rates.
Department of Hand Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Australia.
D J
DJ
Wheen
M A
MA
Tonkin
J
J
Green
M
M
Bronkhorst
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome