Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Kirschner wire combined with silk tension band in the treatment of ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. Methods Between September 2008 and October 2011, 14 patients with ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint were treated using a combination of Kirschner wire and silk tension band. There were 8 males and 6 females, aged 23-55 years (mean, 40.8 years). The causes of injury were machinery twist injury in 5 cases, manual twist injury in 4 cases, falling in 4 cases, sports injury in 1 case. The time from injury to operation was 2 hours-14 days. All the patients presented pain over the ulnar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, limitation of motion, and joint instability with pinch and grip. The lateral stress testing of the metacarpophalangeal joint was positive. Function training was given at 2 weeks after operation. Results All incisions healed by first intention. The lateral stress testing of the metacarpophalangeal joint was negative. All the patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.1 months). The X-ray films showed good fracture reduction and healing with an average time of 7 weeks (range, 4-10 weeks). At last follow-up, the thumbs had stable flexion and extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint, normal opposition function and grip and pinch strengths. According to Saetta et al. criteria for functional assessment, the results were excellent in 11 cases and good in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion It is an easy and simple method to treat ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint using Kirschner wire combined with silk tension band, which can meet the good finger function.
Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of Swanson artificial joint replacement in treating post-traumatic metacarpophalangeal joint stiffness. Methods Between August 2007 and May 2010, 11 cases (13 fingers) of metacarpophalangeal joint stiffness with soft tissue defects underwent Swanson artificial joint replacement. There were 7 males (9 fingers) and 4 females (4 fingers), aged 43 to 65 years with an average of 49 years. The involved fingers included 4 thumbs, 4 index fingers, 3 middle fingers, and 2 ring fingers. The types of injury included open and crush injury in 8 fingers, fracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint in 3 fingers, metacarpophalangeal joint severing in 2 fingers. The time from joint stiffness to hospitalization was 12 to 48 weeks (mean, 24 weeks). The joint activity was (136.82 ± 28.96)°. According to total active motion (TAM) assessment, included good in 1 finger, fair in 6 fingers, and poor in 6 fingers before operation. The activities of daily living were assessed by Sollerman score, which was 45.64 ± 11.04. The X-ray films and CT scan showed traumatic arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Results The incision healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12 to 34 months (mean, 24.1 months). At last follow-up, the joint activity was (194.64 ± 28.86)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=25.214, P=0.000). According to TAM assessment, including excellent in 1 finger, good in 4 fingers, fair in 7 fingers, and poor in 1 finger. The Sollerman score was 67.45 ± 8.20 postoperatively, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t=10.470, P=0.000). X-ray examination showed no prosthesis fracture, periprosthetic fracture, or joint dislocation occurred at last follow-up. Conclusion Swanson artificial joint replacement can be appl ied to treat posttraumatic metacarpophalangeal joint stiffness, which can improve the joint activity and has satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
Objective To discuss the surgical procedures and curative effect of stiff 2-5 metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints after crash injury in hand. Methods Between January 2006 and June 2009, 7 cases of stiff 2-5 MP joints were treated by releasing the stiff MP joints and reconstructing the function of lumbrical muscle in one stage. There were 6 males and 1 female with an average age of 32 years (range, 18-56 years). All injuries were caused by crash. Six cases suffered from multiple metacarpal fracture or complex dislocation of MP joint and 1 case suffered from complete amputation at level of middle palm of hand. The interval from initial wound heal ing to hospital ization was 3 to 15 months. Before operation, the X-ray films showed fracture healed and the results of nipping paper test were positive. All hands were treated with physical therapy for 1 month. After the plaster external fixation for 6 weeks, the physical therapy and function training were given. Results All wounds healed by first intention. The patients had no joint instabil ity and extensor tendon side-sl ipping with normal finger function. Six patients were followed up from 6 months to 3 years. The extension and flexion of MP joint were 0° and 67-90°, respectively. The average grip strength of injured dominant hand reached 86.70% of normal side and non-dominant hand reached 66.70% of normal side. The average injured dominant tip pinch strength reached 83.52% of normal side and non-dominant tip pinch strength reached 61.30% of normal side. Based on total active motion (TAM) system of Chinese Medical Association for Hand Surgery, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 1 case, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 83.33%. Conclusion In patients with stiff MP joint and lumbrical muscle defect, releasing stiff MP joint and reconstructing lumbrical function in one stage can recover the function of MP joint and achieve good outcome. Physical therapy plays an important role before operation.
Objective To investigate the surgical method and effectiveness of repairing traumatic metacarpophalangeal joint defect by the composite tissue flap autograft of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. Methods Between June 2005 and December 2009, 6 cases (6 fingers) of traumatic metacarpophalangeal joint defect were treated with the composite tissue flap autograft of second metatarsophalangeal joint (containing extensor tendon, flexor tendon, proper digital nerve, planta or dorsal flap). All patients were males, aged 18-48 years, including 3 cases of mechanical injury, 2 cases of crush injury, and 1 case of penetrating trauma. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metacarpophalangeal joints were involved in defects in 2 cases, repectively, and defects ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm to 3.0 cm × 2.5 cm in size. All patients had skin and soft tissue defects, and defects ranged from 4 cm × 2 cm to 5 cm × 4 cm in size; and 5 cases complicated by extensor tendon defect (2.5-5.0 cm in length), 3 cases by flexor tendon rupture, and 3 cases by common palmar digital nerve injury. The time from injury to admission was 2-6 hours. Results The composite tissue flaps and skin grafts survived in all cases. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 1-5 years. The X-ray films showed good healing between the transplanted metatarsophalangeal joint and metacarpals and phalanges at 9-14 weeks postoperatively. The appearance, colour, and texture of the skin flap were satisfactory, and the senses of pain and touch were recovered. The palmar flexion range of transplanted metacarpophalangeal joints was 50-70°, and the dorsal extension range was 5-10° at last follow-up. According to the functional assessment criteria of upper limb formulated by the Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 1 case, and fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate of 83.3%. No dysfunction of the donor foot was observed. Conclusion The metatarsophalangeal joint composite tissue flap can provide bone, nerve, skin, muscles, and tendons, so it is an effective approach to repair the metacarpophalangeal joint defect and to recover the function of the injured joints in one operation.
Objective To invest igate the operat ive method and cl inical ef f icacy of reconstruct ing metacarpophalangeal joint defect by the second toe proximal interphalangeal joint with skin flaps. Methods From March 2003 to January 2008, 26 cases (26 fingers) with metacarpophalangeal joint defect were treated, including 19 males and 7 females aged 18-36 years old (average 27 years old). Among them, 23 cases were caused by mechanical injury and the time from injury to operation was 1-6 hours; while 3 cases suffered from secondary injury due to trauma and the time from injury to operation was 3-12 months. Four thumbs, 10 index fingers, 8 middle fingers, 3 ring fingers and 1 l ittle finger were injured.The metacarpophalangeal joint defects were 2 cm × 1 cm-4 cm × 2 cm in size, and 22 cases were combined with skin and soft tissue defect (1.5 cm × 1.5 cm - 6.0 cm × 5.0 cm). During operation, the second toe proximal interphalangeal joint with skin flaps was transplanted to reconstruct those defects, 20 fingers received whole-joint transplantation and 6 fingers received halfjoint transplantation. The skin flaps ranging from 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm to 6.5 cm × 6.0 cm in size were adopted. The donor site of 21 cases received toe amputation, and the rest 5 cases received joint fusion. Results The transplanted joints and skin flaps of all the 26 fingers survived. All incisions and donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up for 6-20 months (average 12 months). The union of transplanted joints was achieved in all the cases at 6-12 weeks after operation, no bone nonunion and refracture occurred. The flexion range of transplanted metacarpophalangeal joints was 30-75° (average 45°). Joint activity was evaluated according to the total active movement/total passive movement assessment criteria, 8 fingers were excellent, 13 good, 3 fair, 2 poor, and the excellent and good rate was 80.77%. The foot donor-site abil ity to walk was unaffected. Conclusion Applying second toe proximal interphalangeal joint with skin flaps is an effective approach to reconstruct the metacarpophalangeal joint defect, and the function recovery of the injured joints is satisfying.
Five patients with disable metacarpophalangeal joints were reconstructed using metatarsophalangeal joint autotransplantation. It was found that both ends of the autograft united rigidly with recipient bones. At present, 4 patients followed up more than 25 years. Although some obvious degenerative changes were identified, the reconstructed joints were stable and no pain. The ranges of movement were more than 20 degrees. The index-to-thumb pinch functions were also satisfactory.
ObjectiveTo investigate the cl inical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint locking with extension lag. MethodsBetween February 2009 and April 2014, 17 patients (17 fingers) with MCP joint locking with extension lag were treated. The patients included 4 males and 13 females, and the average age was 40.7 years (range, 20-72 years). The index finger was locked in 12 cases and the middle finger in 5 cases. All patients could not fully extend the MCP joint at about 30° flexion without flexion limitation of the interphalangeal joint. The range of motion (ROM) of the MCP joint was (41.2±5.1)°. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 2.7±0.5. X-ray and CT scanning showed that there was a bony prominence on radial condyle of the metacarpal head in 15 primary patients, and a hook like osteophyte on ulnar condyle in 2 degenerative patients. All patients were treated with close reduction first, and open reduction was conducted when the manipulation failed. ResultsSuccessful close reduction was achieved in 5 cases, and successful open reduction in 8 cases; 4 cases gave up treatment after failure for close reduction. All patients who achieved successful reduction were followed up 2.3 years on average (range, 6 months to 5 years and 2 months). The ROM of the MCP joint was increased to (80.4±6.6)° at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with ROM before reduction (t=-19.46, P=0.00). The VAS score decreased to 0.2±0.4 at last follow-up, also showing significant difference when compared with score before reduction (t=13.44, P=0.00). ConclusionAccessory collateral ligament caught at the bony prominence on the radial condyle of the metacarpal head is the most common cause of the MCP joint locking with extension lag. Close reduction is feasible, but recurrence of locking is possible. Surgical treatment is advised in the event of manipulation failure or recurrent locking.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress in artificial metacarpophalangeal joint and interphalangeal joint prostheses.MethodsThe research literature on artificial metacarpophalangeal joint and interphalangeal joint prostheses at home and abroad was reviewed and summarized from anatomy, prosthesis design, and material development.ResultsThe artificial joint replacement can correct deformity, relieve pain, and improve function immediately. In the past 50 years, many researches have focused on the design and material of prostheses and surgical technique of joint replacement. There are three types of prostheses, including hinged limit-type-prosthesis, semi-limit-type-prosthesis, and non-limit-type-prosthesis. The prostheses have their own advantages and disadvantages, the long-term effectiveness of joint replacement is not ideal.ConclusionThe metacarpophalangeal joint and interphalangeal joint prostheses with more anatomical structure and biocompatible materials are needed.