Post-Operative Rehabilitation After PIP Joint Arthroplasty with Early Active Motion: A Retrospective Review of Outcomes

Abstract

We present a retrospectively review of outcomes of the first fifteen patients who underwent proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty and were treated using the same early active motion rehabilitation regime introduced by the therapy department at Mount Vernon Hospital. The regime utilises early motion of the PIP joint while protecting the arthroplasty with a small static splint and digit strapping to reduce lateral forces on the joint.The notes of fifteen patients were reviewed and their outcomes presented. To evaluate the outcomes in more detail the patients were divided into three groups according to their diagnostic reason for the procedure (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and trauma). The overall mean arc of motion at the PIP joint on discharge from therapy was 54 improved from 28 pre operatively. Following this retrospective review of cases the team continue to use this regime for metal and silastic prosthesis but now routinely provide additional written information pre operatively to assist patients' understanding of the procedure and the extent of the rehabilitation required.3

The Effectiveness of Exercise Following Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Replacement: A Critical Review of the Evidence

“…Varying designs of implants have been created and introduced over the years, however many have been withdrawn over time as their shortcomings became apparent in clinical practice [3]. Despite the abundance of literature, few articles evaluate the postoperative rehabilitation in PIPJ replacements, in particular the effectiveness of exercise post-operatively [3,4]. The purpose of the following review is to determine if exercise is effective following PIPJ replacement.…”