Journal Blasts Unacceptable Hand Implants

The Journal of Hand Surgery (JHS) editor-in-chief Grey Giddins has called for the profession to stop using implants with known poor outcomes. Citing several recent studies, the editorial asks why these implants—which perform worse than certain hip replacement implants that are now deemed unacceptable—are still widely used.

JHS is an online and print orthopedic surgery journal of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand and is the official publication of the Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand It is published by SAGE.

The September issue reports on a number of thumb arthroplasties, which are joint replacement operations at the base of the thumb that are often used to treat arthritis. Giddins names those devices that failed to make the grade and recommends that they be withdrawn.

“We should make a stand as a profession and stop using implants with known poor outcomes unless other data is published to change our minds. Moreover, we should continue to be careful about being encouraged into using other new implants until adequate long term follow-up is available, ” Giddins wrote. He expressed approval of the de la Caffiniere implant, believing that with this device patients can expect good long-term outcomes following their surgeries. However, he was critical of the joint replacements by Moje, Elektra and the Pi2 thumb CMC.