title: New technique: tendon interposition arthroplasty in Distal Interphalangeal Joint arthritis in Chinese population - New horizon for treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical outcome of managing distal inter-phalangeal joint arthritis by using excisional arthroplasties with soft-tissue interposition to provide pain-free joint with adequate range of motion and preserving the bone stock.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case series was conducted at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong from 2013 to 2015 and comprised patients with distal inter-phalangeal joint arthritis. Excisional arthroplasty was performed for all patients. Interposition was performed using extensor retinaculum/ palmaris longus. An axial K wire for 3-4 weeks was applied to maintain the reconstructed part in satisfactory alignment. Mallet splint was applied for another 3 weeks. Free active mobilisation was allowed afterward. Clinical assessment was done at least at 3, 6 and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were three patients in the series, and all the 5 fingers, including one thumb, achieved good range of motion with no complication except in 1(33.3%) patient who needed re-exploration of index finger for retained suture with no documentary infection. All patients (100%) had significant pain relieved with mean visual analogue scale score of 3/10±SD at 3 months and 0/10 at 1-year follow-up. All achieved good range of motion. All (100%) were satisfied with postoperative surgical outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interposition arthroplasty gave the patients adequate range of motion with preservation of bone stock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hand and Foot division, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Muhammad Zeeshan
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.affiliation: The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Kamran
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hand and Foot division, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fung
keywords: Distal inter-phalangeal joint, Carpometacarpal joint, Arthrodesis, Excision arthroplasty, Soft tissue interposition.