Clinical Outcomes of Operative Repair for Patients Who Fail to Conserve the Complete Rupture of the Collateral Ligament in the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the preoperative and postoperative outcomes of surgical treatment for patients who fail to conserve the complete rupture of the collateral ligament in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint.Methods: A complete rupture of the collateral ligament was confirmed by a radiologist using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging for patients who had symptoms after 4 weeks of conservative treatment. Eleven patients underwent operative collateral ligament repair using an anchor. All patient was followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively. We evaluated clinical outcomes preoperatively and at 6 months follow-up: (1) range of motion of the PIP, (2) joint stability, (3) Visual Analog Scale score, (4) fusiform index of the PIP joint, and (5) functional & cosmetic satisfaction.Results: There was no instability in the lateral stress test at 6-month follow-up. The ranges of motion of the PIP were not statistically different between preoperative and at 6-month follow-up. Patients had less pain but the cosmetic appearance of the PIP joint did not improve. Functional satisfaction differed statistically, but there was no difference in cosmetic satisfaction.Conclusion: Surgical treatment for patients who fail to conserve the complete rupture of the collateral ligament in the PIP joint can provide good joint stability, functional recovery.