Spongy hydroxyapatite in hand surgery--a five year follow-up.

Twenty-two patients were treated for enchondromas or cysts of the hand by curettage and complete filling of the defect with hydroxyapatite. Postoperatively no complications occurred and marginal osseous integration was radiologically complete after 6 to 8 weeks. Patients were re-examined after a minimum of 5 years after operation and the functional and aesthetic results were excellent in all patients. Radionuclide imaging showed identical bone activity to that in the contralateral healthy hand and there were no signs of inflammation. Copyright 2002 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.