Der Unfallchirurg
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Alloarthroplasty has largely replaced traditional procedures in arthrosis of hip and knee joints. In contrast the role of alloarthroplasty in comparison to traditional procedures in hand surgery has been uncertain. To evaluate this question every registered hand surgery department (n=307) in Germany received a questionnaire requesting information on number and type of implanted prostheses and traditional procedures concerning the wrist joint, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), first carpometacarpal joint (CMC), metacarpal phalangeal joint (MP), interphalangeal joint (PIP), and preferred characteristics of the prostheses. ⋯ The results confirm that alloarthroplasty in hand surgery is of minor importance. Thus, the role of alloarthroplasty differs depending on the joint involved. Traditional procedures except for the MP joint continue to be of major importance in hand surgery.