Metacarpophalangeal Joint Prostheses

Abstract

The clinical results of past and current hinge, flexible and third generation designs of MP prosthetic joints are reviewed. The hinged prostheses did not achieve acceptable short term clinical results while the silastic and third generation prostheses provided good results with correction of deformity and adequate range of motion (ROM). These good short term results did, however, get progressively worse with the recurrence of deformities and loss of ROM. It is evident that while most of the existing prostheses can relieve pain and restore appearance, none provide the degree of stability and ROM that is required to restore normal function to the MP joint. The moderate results could be partly due to the stage of the disease at which the surgery is carried out. At present, surgery on patients with rheumatoid arthritis is undertaken at a stage in the disease where the muscles and the ligaments surrounding the joint, and the bone, are generally in a poor condition. Surgery at this stage is really only a salvage procedure.