Affiliation:
1. Department of Orthopaedics Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital Chiayi Taiwan
2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Taipei Veterans General Hospital Taipei Taiwan
3. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Taipei Taiwan
4. Department of Food Nutrition Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology Tainan Taiwan
5. Department of Orthopaedics, E‐Da Hospital, College of Medicine I‐Shou University Kaohsiung Taiwan
Abstract
ObjectiveK‐wire arthrodesis methods are commonly used during arthrodesis of the finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joints. Here we propose an advantageous approach involving dual parallel intramedullary K‐wires with the K‐wire tips cut to bury underneath the skin.MethodsFrom January 2017 to December 2021, 35 patients (43 joints) underwent finger DIP or thumb IP joint arthrodesis using this method. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated, while functional outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score. Patients with at least 1 year follow‐up were analyzed. The preoperative and postoperative functional results were analyzed using the paired t‐test.ResultsArthrodesis union was achieved in 41/43 joints (95.3%). We treated 10 thumb IP joints and 33 finger DIP joints, for which the underlying cause was osteoarthritis and trauma in 37 and six digits, respectively. The average time of K‐wire removal was 8.9 (range, 7–10) weeks after surgery. Twenty‐four patients (27 joints; 22 women, two men) had at least 1 year follow‐up (mean 15.9; range, 12.5–40.8) months. For patients with bone healing, the VAS score improved from 6.6 (range, 5–8) to 0.6 (range, 0–1) (p < 0.001), and the QuickDASH score improved from 57.9 (range, 31.8–77.3) to 14.7 (range, 6.8–20.5) (p < 0.001) at final follow‐up. Both of the two failure cases were in the thumb. There were no other complications.ConclusionsThis technique is simple and cost‐effective and achieves a good union rate. The advantages include the ability to choose variable K‐wire sizes according to the size of the medullary canal and the ease of postoperative care.
Subject
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine,Surgery