The stiff proximal interphalangeal joint

One of the major challenges, if not the major challenge, in the management of Dupuytren’s disease is correction of the proximal interphalangeal joint contracture and maintenance of this correction. In 1831 Dupuytren himself [1] recognized the difficulty in straightening the proximal interphalangeal joint. Despite this, much of the early literature focused on Dupuytren’s Disease in the palm [2]. As is well known, in contrast to the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ), the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) is a less tolerant joint. The correction of this joint, is more difficult to achieve and is more difficult to maintain.