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A prospective study comparing outcomes after reconstruction in rheumatoid arthritis patients with severe ulnar drift deformities
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 06/22/09

Chung k et al. – Study concludes that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with more severe metacarpophalangeal joint diseases will attain similarly good outcomes after reconstruction when compared with those with less severe deformities.

• Aim was to evaluate outcomes of RA pts with metacarpophalangeal joint deformities (subluxation and ulnar deviation) after silicone metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty
• 70 pts, categorized into 2 groups based on degrees of deformity: <100 degrees or ≥100 degrees
• Outcomes were assessed at 6 mo and 1 yr based on:
  • Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire
  • Grip/pinch strength
  • Metacarpophalangeal joint deviation angles
  • Jebsen-Taylor test, and
  • Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 questionnaire

• No difference in outcomes at 1-yr f/u between the 2 groups, after controlling for age, gender, and baseline values
• Outcome scores were not different between the 2 groups
• However, pts with more severe hand deformities had worse ulnar drift and extensor lag after reconstruction

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