Clinical Experiences of the Finger Joint Replacement Arthroplasty using Swanson-Silicone-Implant

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 1997;2(1):141-149.
Published online January 1, 1997.

Seung Koo Rhee,Suk Whan Song,Jong Hun Lee

Swanson implant 를 이용한 수지 인공관절 성형술

이승구,송석환,이종헌

Abstract

Swanson silicone rubber spacer is widely used for finger joint reconstruction to correct digital deformities, to decrease joint pain. and to improve finger motions in rheumatoid, traumatic and osteoarthritic hands. The basic principle to fix Swanson prosthesis into finger joint structures depend on the encapsulation concept, the development of supporting fibrous joint capsule to balance the bone-implant after joint resection, and the triangular shape of implant. During the period between May 1980 and Oct. 1996, we treated twenty eight cases of Swanson finger implant arthroplasty in 23 patients with 10 rheumatic and 18 traumatic arthritic hands. These implants were followed for an average 8.2 months. The postoperative active motion of metacarpophalangeal joint was average 42.5', from 17' of extension to 54' of tlexion, and the motion of the proximal phalangeal joint was average 37.1', from 20' of extension to 47' of flexion. The range of active motion of metacarpophalangeal joint increased 20.8' and the motion of proximal phalangeal joints also increased 29.1' over preoperative values. All of finger deformities were corrected, but pain was not relieved in 9 cases. There were 3 cases of lateral instabiliy of fingers, 2 cases with too weak grasping power and 1 case with protrusion of silastic spacer to the skin of joint. Grip strength did not significantly improved, and so an arthrodesis of finger joint is more prefered than an arthroplasty in a man doing heavy work. We have found this procedure to be useful for the correction of finger deformities, increasing range of motion of fingers, and improving the patient's sense of well-being.