Arthroplasty for destroyed proximal interphalangeal joint in hand trauma surgery: Silicone hinged NeuFlex® or gliding...

The treatment of proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP) after a traumatic injury has produced disappointing outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional results of emergency hinged or gliding arthroplasty for destroyed PIP joints. A two-center retrospective study was carried out in 24 patients with open and closed trauma of the PIP joint of the fingers from 2007 to 2019. Fifteen hinged silicone implants (NeuFlex®) and nine gliding implants (Tactys®) were used. Pain on a visual analog scale (VAS), stability and total active motion (TAM), grip and pinch strength (Jamar®), QuickDASH and PRWE and satisfaction were assessed, and X-rays were performed. With a mean follow-up of 48 months, 24 patients aged 58 years on average were reviewed. Pain on VAS was 0.2/10, the TAM was 72% of the contralateral side, the QuickDASH was 15.6/100 and the PRWE was 24.5/100. PIP flexion was ≥50% of the contralateral side in 75% of patients. PIP and DIP extensor lag of 9° was significantly larger with the Tactys® than with the NeuFlex®, with no significant difference in the TAM. Three clinodactylies in fingers with the NeuFlex® and three reducible swanneck deformities in fingers with the Tactys® were noted. Three-quarters of patients were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome. Emergency PIP arthroplasty with Tactys® seems to provide functional results that are as good as with NeuFlex®. Clinodactyly was found with NeuFlex® use. A significant PIP and IPD extensor lag of 9° and swan-neck deformities were found with Tactys® without significant functional impairment.