Anatomical Basis for Arthroscopy of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joints

Background: Arthroscopyis a widely used minimally invasive technique. Nevertheless, no report describes the arthroscopic anatomy of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint for portal creation. To facilitate arthroscopy, this study elucidated the anatomy of the lateral bands of the extensor mechanism and collateralligaments of PIP joints. Methods: A total of 39 fingers from the right hands of 10 cadavers (4 males, 6 females) were evaluated in this study. We defined the extension line from the proximal interphalangeal volar crease as the C-line. We also defined an imaginary linealong the distal edge of the proximal phalanx, which is parallel to the C-line, as the J-line. The distance between J-lineand C-line was measured. On the C-line and J-line, we measured the following: from the dorsal skin to the lateral edge of the lateral band (LB), the dorsal edge of the collateralligament (CL) and from the lateral band and the collateralligament (D), the width of the finger (W). The finger half-width (M) was...