BACKGROUND: Symphalangism is a rare congenital difference characterized by ankylosis of interphalangeal (IP) joints of the fingers and toes. In adults, there were several attempts to restore the stiff joints into mobile ones, but these treatment options resulted in poor outcomes and could not be applied to growing children. Here, we report our experiences on surgical treatment for children who had symphalangism of the hand. METHODS: We treated 36 joints in 17 children with symphalangism of the hand using dorsal capsulotomy and collateral ligament release. The diagnoses were based on history, physical examination, and simple radiographs. Affected fingers were classified according to our grading system. Simple compressive dressing was applied using Coban after surgery. Passive range of motion (ROM) exercise was started on day one or 2 postoperative, with the help of a hand therapist and patients' parents. The patients were prescribed passive ROM exercises for at least 2 hours a day over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: A single surgeon operated on 30 proximal IP joints, 3 distal IP joints, and 3 IP joints of the thumb. Twenty six joints were classified as grade I, and 10 as grade II. The ROM of affected joints, which was 7.8 +/- 8.1 (mean +/- SD) degrees preoperatively, increased to 46.8 +/- 18.6 degrees at final follow-up. The final ROM was significantly better in grade I joints, especially when the children had operations at ages 24 months or younger. CONCLUSIONS: Symphalangism of the hand in children, can be restored into a mobile joint by release of the collateral ligament, a dorsal capsulotomy, and postoperative physical therapy.
Age Factors ; Ankylosis/radiography/surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Finger Joint/abnormalities/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Joint Diseases/classification/*congenital/radiography/surgery ; Ligaments/surgery ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures/methods ; Physical Examination ; *Range of Motion, Articular ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Symphalangism is a rare congenital difference characterized by ankylosis of interphalangeal (IP) joints of the fingers and toes. In adults, there were several attempts to restore the stiff joints into mobile ones, but these treatment options resulted in poor outcomes and could not be applied to growing children. Here, we report our experiences on surgical treatment for children who had symphalangism of the hand. METHODS: We treated 36 joints in 17 children with symphalangism of the hand using dorsal capsulotomy and collateral ligament release. The diagnoses were based on history, physical examination, and simple radiographs. Affected fingers were classified according to our grading system. Simple compressive dressing was applied using Coban after surgery. Passive range of motion (ROM) exercise was started on day one or 2 postoperative, with the help of a hand therapist and patients' parents. The patients were prescribed passive ROM exercises for at least 2 hours a day over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: A single surgeon operated on 30 proximal IP joints, 3 distal IP joints, and 3 IP joints of the thumb. Twenty six joints were classified as grade I, and 10 as grade II. The ROM of affected joints, which was 7.8 +/- 8.1 (mean +/- SD) degrees preoperatively, increased to 46.8 +/- 18.6 degrees at final follow-up. The final ROM was significantly better in grade I joints, especially when the children had operations at ages 24 months or younger. CONCLUSIONS: Symphalangism of the hand in children, can be restored into a mobile joint by release of the collateral ligament, a dorsal capsulotomy, and postoperative physical therapy.
Age Factors ; Ankylosis/radiography/surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Finger Joint/abnormalities/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Joint Diseases/classification/*congenital/radiography/surgery ; Ligaments/surgery ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures/methods ; Physical Examination ; *Range of Motion, Articular ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical and radiographic effects of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the treatment of bony ankylosis of hips.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to August 2009, 20 patients (30 hips) with bony ankylosis of hips were treated with THA. There were 12 males and 8 females, with an average age of 36 years old. After operation, the follow-up results were evaluated with clinical and radiographic criteria. The clinical follow-up results were evaluated with Harris score, satisfaction of pain relief, limb length discrepancy, ROM of hip and the strength of hip abductor. The X-ray imaging follow-up results were evaluated with acetabula and periprosthetic osteolysis, prosthesis loosening, radiolucent and heterotopic ossification.

RESULTSThe average following-up was 4 years. The mean preoperative Harris score was (40.75 +/- 6.52) as opposed to postoperative Harris score of (86.40 +/- 5.42). Total pain relief was 65% and partial pain relief was 35% around the affected hips. The recovery of abductors strength was satisfactory in 13 cases, with limp symptoms was relieved obviously, and limb shortening decreased to less than 0.5 cm. The postoperative ROM of hip was significantly improved compared with the preoperative ROM. Radiographic analysis showed that heterotopic ossification in 2 cases, and radiolucent around prosthesis in one case. There were no dislocation and revision cases.

CONCLUSIONThe THA can provide satisfactory clinical results in bony ankylosis of hips, which not only correct the deformity and recover the functions of hip, but also relieve the pain of hip to improve quality of life.

Adult ; Ankylosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Hip Joint ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular