Aims. We performed a systematic review of the current literature regarding
the outcomes of unconstrained metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) arthroplasty. Materials and Methods. We initially identified 1305 studies, and 406 were found to be
duplicates. After exclusion criteria were applied, seven studies
were included. Outcomes extracted included pre- and post-operative
pain visual analogue scores, range of movement (ROM), strength of
pinch and grip, satisfaction and patient reported outcome measures
(PROMs). Clinical and radiological complications were recorded.
The results are presented in three groups based on the design of
the arthroplasty and the aetiology (pyrocarbon-osteoarthritis (pyro-OA),
pyrocarbon-inflammatory arthritis (pyro-IA), metal-on-polyethylene
(MoP)). Results. Results show that pyrocarbon implants provide an 85% reduction
in pain, 144% increase of pinch grip and 13° improvements in ROM
for both OA and IA combined. Patients receiving MoP arthroplasties
had a reduction in pinch strength. Satisfaction rates were 91% and
92% for pyrocarbon-OA and pyrocarbon-IA groups, respectively. There were
nine failures in 87 joints (10.3%) over a mean follow-up of 5.5
years (1.0 to 14.3) for pyro-OA. There were 18 failures in 149 joints
(12.1%) over a mean period of 6.6 years (1.0 to 16.0) for pyro-IA.
Meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity of the studies
and the limited presentation of data. Conclusion. We would recommend prospective data collection for small joint
arthroplasties of the hand consisting of PROMs that would allow
clinicians to come to stronger conclusions about the impact on function
of replacing the MCPJs. A national
