Staged arthrodesis using the Masquelet technique for osteomyelitis of the finger with articular destruction: a report of two cases

Osteitis of the fingers is a serious infection that needs early diagnosis and appropriate surgical debridement and antibiotic treatment of the infected bone. If the effects of treatments are insufficient, long-term antibiotic treatment and repeated operations could be required. In worst cases, some patients may have to undergo amputation. Recently, the usefulness of the Masquelet technique in extensive traumatic bone defects has been reported. We herein describe two cases of immunocompromised patients with purulent osteitis involving joint destruction of the finger treated by two-stage arthrodesis using the Masquelet technique. They obtained good infection control and better function of the finger than before the operation. Moreover, there was no recurrence of the infection. The Masquelet technique could be an alternative technique for osteitis with high risk of amputation.