Abstract: Objective Exploring the clinical efficacy of using autologous rib cartilage grafting to reconstruct finger hemiarticular defects.Methods From August 2022 to February 2024, for 6 patients with hemiarticular surface defects in the metacarpophalangeal joints and interphalangeal joints of 8 fingers, costal cartilage was used for joint remodeling and transplantation to reconstruct the hemiarticular surface defects of the fingers.All 8 joint transplants in 6 patients were two-stage surgeries. In the first stage, antibiotic bone cement was used to fill the space-occupying lesions, and in the second stage, costal cartilage joint remodeling was performed to reconstruct the finger joint defects.Postoperative follow-up and assessment of fracture healing according to Paley fracture healing scoring criteria.Outpatient and WeChat follow-up,upper limb function is evaluated according to the upper limb functional assessment standards of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Society.Record VAS pain score.Results In this group,there were a total of 6 patients with 8 cases of hemiarticular defects.Among them,2 patients had two joint surgical sites,while the remaining 4 patients had a single joint surgical site.There were 2 cases of metacarpophalangeal joint head defects,2 cases of proximal articular surface defects,3 cases of proximal articular head defects,and 1 case of thumb proximal articular head defect.After surgery,8 out of 6 patients’ hand wounds healed successfully.All patients were followed up for 6-12 months postoperatively,with an average of 9 months.The VAS pain score (affected finger) for the last follow-up was 0-2 points,with an average of 0.6 points.According to Paley’s scoring criteria,all 6 patients had excellent fracture healing.According to the evaluation criteria for upper limb functional assessment of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Society,3 cases were rated as excellent,3 cases were rated as good,and 2 cases were rated as fair.Conclusion For patients with half joint defects on one side of the finger,rib rib cartilage was used for joint reconstruction,which significantly improved the joint shape and function at the defect site,and reduced joint pain scores.

Key words: rib rib cartilage transplantation;hand joint； cartilage injury;hemiarthrosis defect