12.5 IS CROSSED INTRINSIC TRANSFER EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING THE RECURRENCE OF ULNAR DEVIATION FOLLOWING METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT REPLACEMENTS?

Abstract

Seventy three hands in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing primary index to small finger metacarpophalangeal joint replacements were studied retrospectively. In twenty eight hands a crossed intrinsic transfer was performed and in forty five hands it was not. A similar splintage and rehabilitation programme was followed in each group. The two treatment groups had similar preoperative ulnar drift (crossed intrinsic transfer group mean 27°, comparative group 29°). At a mean follow up of 50 months the crossed intrinsic transfer group had statistically less ulnar drift (crossed intrinsic transfer group mean 6°, comparative group mean 14°, P=0.01). There were no other significant differences at follow up.