Peri-Prosthetic Joint Infection after Finger Joint Arthroplasty

Background: Endoprosthetic treatment of finger joints is an established procedure. However, data on peri-prosthetic finger joint infections (PJI) are rare. The goal of this retrospective study was to assess infection rates and treatment outcomes after PJI of the finger joints. Methods: Between 1984 and 2014, 1,195 finger joints (978 metacarpal and 217 proximal interphalangeal [PIP] joints) in 518 patients were treated. A retrospective record analysis was conducted. Besides demographic data, infection rates, types of revision surgery, and treatment outcomes were evaluated. Treatment strategies changed during the treatment period. Routinely assessed patient-reported outcome measures, namely the QuickDASH score, visual analogue scale (VAS), an everyday function score (activities of daily living; ADL), and an adapted Clayton score, were compared. Results: In 36 finger joints of 30 patients, a post-operative peri-prosthetic infection could be identified (3%). Infections occurred on average 3.8 years after arthroplasty. For meta-carpal phalangeal (MCP) joints, the best clinical outcomes could be observed after a two-stage revision procedure (QuickDASH score 86). Arthrodesis performed in a one-stage procedure achieved favorable outcomes in PIP joints (QuickDASH score 89). Re-infection mandating revision surgery occurred in seven joints in five patients (7/36; 19.4%). In 25 patients with 29 finger joints, there was no re-infection and no need for revision. Conclusion: Peri-prosthetic infection of finger joint prostheses occurs in approximately 3% of all cases, which is a higher rate than in the more common hip and knee procedures. For MCP joint revision surgery, a two-stage procedure seems to be the best treatment choice. For PIP joint revision, a single-stage revision with arthrodesis in a functional position achieves a good outcome.