Abstract
Since November 2003 there have been 62 Metacarpophalangeal Joint (MCPJ) replacements carried out on 16 patients at Macclesfield District general hospital. 11 of the patients were female and 5 were male. The mean patient age at procedure was 64.9 years, with an age range of 28 to 80. Of the 62 MCPJ replacements carried out, 58 (93.5%) were as a result of rheumatoid arthritis, with only 4 (6.5%) as a result of osteo-arthritis. The primary objective of this study is to assess their outcomes to date. Data was collected retrospectively by means of case note review. Outcomes measured were patient rating of pain and function at post operative review and post operative complications. All operations were carried out by a single surgeon, using his standard operative technique, and all replacements used the Neuflex Finger Joint Implant System. All 16 patients attended for post operative review. At the time of discharge 13 patients rated their outcome as excellent to good, 1 patient was deceased and 2 patients are currently under follow up with no reported complications. Mean time to discharge was 19 months (2–68). Of the total 62 joints replaced, 10 revisions were carried out. Of these, 3 were as a result of dislocation, 6 were for subluxation and 1 as a result of failure of the prosthesis. There were 3 other post operative complications; 1 was for superficial wound infection, 1 resulting from a prominent prosthesis and 1 hypertrophic scar. Results showed that 81.3% of patients rated their range of movement as good to excellent and 87.5% reported an improvement in pain. Overall, 81% of patients rated their outcome at discharge as good to excellent. From the data available we conclude that the Neuflex system is an effective treatment method with a low complication rate.
