Thank you very much for the response.
The reason I believe that trying joint replacement at all on the PIP of the index is not a good idea is that (1) the process permanently destroys some bone, and (2) the procedure is likely to fail quickly. Surgeons I have spoken with say the procedure will likely fail within a year or two. Since I do a lot of writing with my index finger, it is more likely that the procedure would fail sooner than later.
If I had good reason to think that a joint replacement would last, say, 10 years or so, that would be a completely different story--but expecting it to fail within a year or 2 indicates that--if indeed hemi-hamate arthroplasty is inappropriate--then fusion is the way to go.
Thank you very much for your insights.
Mario Silva
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