Severe Contracture of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in Dupuytren’s Disease: Does Capsuloligamentous Release Improve Outcome?

This prospective study assessed whether patients with severe proximal interphalangeal joint contracture (≥60°) due to Dupuytren’s disease which persisted after fasciectomy alone benefited from an additional capsuloligamentous release. Forty-three patients with 43 severely contracted proximal interphalangeal joints underwent operative correction followed by a standardized postoperative rehabilitation programme. All were followed for 6 months. In 11 patients correction of the proximal interphalangeal joint to 20° could not be achieved by fasciectomy alone, and an additional capsuloligamentous release was performed which effectively corrected all their residual flexion contractures. There were no statistically significant differences between the capsulotomy and the non-capsulotomy group with respect to the residual proximal interphalangeal joint contracture at the end of surgery, or at their last follow-up examination.

SEVERE CONTRACTURES OF THE PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT IN DUPUYTREN'S DISEASE: VALUE OF CAPSULOLIGAMENTOUS RELEASE

A retrospective review of severe flexion contractures (60° or more), involving 51 proximal interphalangeal joints in 40 patients with Dupuytren's disease, was performed. Thirty-two joints underwent aponeurectomy alone, 19 joints additional capsuloligamentous release. Mean follow-up was 12 months. No statistically significant difference was seen in the percentage of contracture correction in the capsulotomy group compared with the noncapsulotomy group.