A Prospective Study of Range of Movement following Metacarpophalangeal Joint Replacements: Optimum Time of Recovery

43 patients with Swanson arthroplasties of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. The range of movement was measured at two weeks post surgery, and then at monthly intervals up to one year. The aim of this study was to identify at which point in a specific time period there was the greatest improvement in range of motion, and at which point improvement slowed or ceased.

The results were analysed to identify the optimum range of movement in flexion and extension and the time taken to achieve this range. The maximum active flexion was achieved at a mean of 16.4 weeks following surgery (65 degrees); extension lag improved up to 12 months and the mean at this time was 14.9 degrees.