[The size and proportion of the interphalangeal finger joints: an anatomic study]

Background This study aimed to evaluate the size of the joint surfaces of the proximal and distal interphalangeal finger joints. Material and Methods 117 proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of 30 formalin-fixed hands of body donors were included in this study. The size of the articular surface was determined for each joint. Results The mean size of the proximal joint surface of the distal interphalangeal joint is 56.1 mm²; the distal joint surface averages 30.9 mm² (ratio: 1.8:1). The size of the proximal articular surface of the proximal interphalangeal joint is 92.5 mm². The size of the distal articular surface averages 52.4 mm² (ratio 1.7:1). Conclusions This is the first study to describe the articular surface area of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the hand.