The Hemiarthroplasty of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in Post-traumatic Degenerative Disease: A Case Report

Fractures of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint with fragment displacement should be promptly repaired after injury, though this does not ensure the return of pre-injury finger function. This article presents the case of a 29-year-old patient who sustained an injury to the fourth finger of his right hand, resulting in an open fracture of the distal and shaft of the proximal phalanx involving the PIP joint and partial damage to the finger extensor mechanism. Immediately post injury, the fracture was realigned and stabilized with Kirschner wires (K-wires). Three years later, due to post-traumatic degenerative disease, the patient required further surgical intervention and was diagnosed with type III according to the modified Kellgren and Lawrence scale. The decision was made to perform a partial arthroplasty of the PIP joint. The implantation of the PIP prosthesis in a patient with post-traumatic degenerative disease can restore the correct range of flexion movement, realign the fourth digit, and eliminate pain. However, this treatment method may pose a risk of a slight limitation in the range of extension motion in the joint.