Finger joint reconstruction with costal osteochondral graft.

Cartilage disorders of the finger joint may influence hand function. Loss of integrity of the finger joint may severely compromise its stability and may lead to degenerative arthritis. Anatomical reduction of the finger cartilage should be as precise as possible in treating cartilage defects due to trauma and other causes. We have repaired cartilage defects in finger joints by arthroplasty with costal osteochondral grafting in 29 patients (30 joints) since 1997. Three patients underwent total joint reconstruction using costal osteochondral grafting for complete bony ankylosis (1 metacarpophalangeal joint and 2 proximal interphalangeal joints). The purpose of this study was to describe the history, indications, and surgical techniques of the costal osteochondral graft for cartilage disorders or defects in the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints.