Artificial metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint replacement for end-stage arthritis

1.1 Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of artificial metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joint replacement of the hand for end-stage arthritis appears adequate to support the use of this procedure provided that the normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance.

1.2 Most of the evidence was based on a single type of joint prosthesis. The range of prostheses used is continually changing and clinicians are encouraged to submit their results to the appropriate joint-replacement registry for evaluation of long-term outcomes of different types of prosthesis.