Radial collateral ligament reconstruction of the proximal interphalangeal joint of a finger with severe bony defect: revising a failed ligament reconstruction--a case report.

Chronic proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) instability of the finger is rare, and when it occurs usually requires surgical reconstruction. Complications arising from failed ligament reconstruction may result in a situation more difficult to address than the initial reconstruction. This situation is more likely for the finger than other orthopaedic reconstructions because the phalangeal bones are so small. We present a case of chronic radial PIPJ instability of the finger and severe bony defect caused by multiple failed ligament reconstructions that was treated successfully using a modification of the bone-ligament-bone graft technique.