Palmar arthroplasty for the treatment of the stiff swan-neck deformity

Palmar arthroplasty for the treatment of the stiff swan-neck deformity in rheumatoid arthritis is designed to correct the mechanical block to flexion that is caused by palmar plate adhesions (which obliterate the retrocondylar recess) and by collateral ligament contracture and adhesions. This procedure can be performed at the same time as correction of the primary cause of proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) hyperextension (e.g., intrinsic tightness or flexor tenosynovitis) and can also be supplemented with superficialis tenodesis to minimize recurrent hyperextension. Postoperative flexor dynamic traction, which is started at 24 to 48 hours and continued for a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks, is critical to the maintenance of motion. Arthroplasty in 47 PIP joints in 14 hands of 9 patients demonstrate an increase in motion from +20 degrees hyperextension and 9.5 degrees flexion to -7 degrees extension and 72 degrees flexion postoperatively.