Interphalangeal and thumb metacarpophalangeal arthrodesis with an intramedullary implant.

Arthritis and instability of the finger joints of the hand leads to chronic pain and decreased hand function. In such patients, arthrodesis is a generally accepted surgical treatment. Various techniques are available for arthrodesis of interphalangeal and thumb metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand. We present our experience from 7 patients being treated with interphalangeal and thumb metacarpophalangeal arthrodesis using an intramedullary implant (X-Fuse).Clinical parameters such as finger stability, soft-tissue irritation, infection rate, and nail morphology were recorded. All patients were observed for clinical and radiographic fusion achievement. Complications and hardware failure of the implant was also recorded. The preliminary results from our clinical experience have been positive. Six out of the 7 joints achieved full fusion. The elastic intramedullary implant is an alternative for finger arthrodesis that provides compression, stability, and adequate fusion. Using this technique, our patients regained a pain-free, stable, useful, and cosmetically acceptable hand.