title: The long-term outcome of volar plate arthroplasty of the proximal interphalangeal joint.
abstract: The ultimate effectiveness of an arthroplasty is most accurately determined by a long-term review of the joints' function and freedom from pain. We examined 17 patients an average of 11.5 years (range, 4-26 years) following volar plate arthroplasty for a fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon. The average age was 36 years (range, 17-61 years). No patient complained of pain at rest or with activity. Patients having arthroplasty within 4 weeks of injury attained a total active range of motion of 85 degrees (50 degrees to 110 degrees ). Patients having arthroplasty more than 4 weeks after injury (average, 20 weeks) included several elderly women and averaged 61 degrees (30 degrees to 90 degrees ) total active range of motion. Four patients showed some degree of joint narrowing at the follow-up examination. This review suggests that volar plate arthroplasty continues to be of benefit on a long-term basis and provides satisfactory function and pain-free motion.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Service, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY 10019, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dionysian
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Eaton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001860:Bone Plates; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome