This page shows intraoperative photos of a finger DIP joint fusion for severe arthritis.
The fusion is done in the operating room, under a finger tourniquet: there is no bleeding.
This is the incision.
This is the beginning of the dissection.
This is a view with the joint completely flexed, so the joint is visible.
Note the absence of cartilage on the end of the bones.
A wire .045" is passed through the bone, and an 19 G needle is passed back through the hole.
Two strands of 28 G stainless steel wire is passed through the needle.
Both wires have been passed through both bones, but come out on opposite sides, and a .045 wire has
been passed from the finger tip across the joint
.
Here the wires are about to be twisted.
Side view at the end, wires twised and bent back. Note the slight flexion of the DIP joint.
Top view at the end, skin closed with a subcuticular closure (all sutures inside).
Remember the admonition from the Patient Education Links Page: the Internet has a lot of information, much of it incorrect. I have reviewed the sites that I have linked to, and have only linked to sites when I personally know the surgeon who posted it, or am a member of the organization that posted it. However, I may not agree with all that is on that site, and it may have changed since I reviewed it. If any of the information is not consistent with what I have told you, please download the material and bring it in.
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