Prosthetic hemi-arthroplasty for post-traumatic articular cartilage loss in the proximal interphalangeal joint

This article discusses the indications, contra-indications, and technique for proximal interphalangeal joint prosthetic hemi-arthroplasty in the setting of sub-acute or chronic post-traumatic articular cartilage loss. Two case examples are provided: one for replacement of the head of the proximal phalanx, the other for replacement of the base of the middle phalanx.This procedure serves as a recently available alternative to fusion, silicone total joint replacement, total joint arthroplasty with unlinked surface replacements, volar plate arthroplasty, hemi-condylar osteochondral autograft reconstruction, or free vascularized joint transfer.