Perichondrial Arthroplasty Revisited: Technical Pearls

Articular cartilage damage has been a longstanding challenge in hand surgery. Because of its limited ability to heal on its own and its predictable impact on bone resulting in degenerative osteoarthritis, surgical intervention is often mandated, through arthrodesis or implant arthroplasty. In this article, we revisit the perichondrial arthroplasty, a two-stage joint resurfacing technique using autologous rib perichondrium. It is indicated for posttraumatic osteoarthritic changes with or without stiffness and deviation, rheumatoid arthritis, and congenital joint malformation and/or ankylosis. This long-lasting method allows for a functional, pain-free joint that avoids both the immobility of arthrodesis and the long-term complications associated with implants.