Immediate silastic arthroplasty for non-salvageable intraarticular phalangeal fractures

Fourteen patients with open non-salvageable intraarticular fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint or metacarpophalangeal joint, underwent immediate silastic arthroplasty using Swanson H.P. hinged implants. The patients' ages ranged from 14 to 49 years, with an average of 29 years. Time from surgery to final examination ranged from 4 months to 6 years, with an average of 26 months. The active range of motion obtained at the metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasties ranged from 45 to 80 degrees, with an average of 60 degrees. The active range of motion obtained at the proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasties ranged from 0 to 70 degrees, with an average of 29 degrees. Better results were generally obtained at the metacarpophalangeal level, and in those arthroplasties performed in non-amputated digits. There were no post-operative infections and all but one joint were stable.