Low-cost procedure for deformity correction in rheumatoid hands

Abstract

Background Surgical correction of ulnar drift of metacarpo-phalangeal joint (MPJ) due to Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is conventionally done by silicon joint arthroplasty which is expensive and may be associated with many complications. We report the outcome of low-cost autologous interpositional arthroplasty. Material and methods Five patients (8 hands, 32 arthroplasties) underwent correction of ulnar drift of MPJ by dorsal capsule interpositional arthroplasty. Results were assessed according to the degree of recovery of movement at the MPJ and correction of ulnar drift. Functional improvement was graded as excellent, good and fair. Pain alleviation was assessed by visual analogue score (VAS) score. Results Excellent results were seen in 3 patients (5 hands, 20 arthroplasties), good in 1 patient (2 hands, 8 arthroplasties) and fair in 1 patient (1 hand, 4 arthroplasties). VAS score for pain decreased from mean preoperative 8.2/10 to 1/10. On average follow up of 1.4 years there was good hand function, no recurrence of deformities and patients were pain free. Conclusion Interpositional arthroplasty for MPJ using dorsal capsule for correction of post RA ulnar drift is a low-cost option which improves the hand function and cosmesis. Additionally, it avoids all the complications related with the use of silicon joints.

Covid-19 pandemic, recovery, dark realities of healthcare and road ahead

“…Weatherburn's contribution 7 to this issue shows us quality assessment of clinical data in primary care and perhaps something readership of SMJ would be keen to see. Two interesting papers, one dealing with equine trauma in Scotland 8 and another on surgical cost effectiveness in correcting rheumatoid arthritis in India 9 show growing international impact of SMJ. Finally, this issue covers contribution on educational aspect of Medicine reminding us that trainee doctors are human too.…”