Long-term outcome of articular fractures of the phalanges: an eleven year follow up.

Fifty-four patients with fifty-nine intra-articular fractures of the phalanges have been followed prospectively for eleven years, at the end of which time only four had significant pain and sixteen others discomfort in cold weather. Improvement in the symptoms and in the range of motion often continued for more than a year after injury. Although 17% of joints developed minor osteophytes or cysts, only one had both radiological evidence of arthritis and persistent pain.