Hand enchondroma - complete evaluation and rehabilitation.

Enchondroma, the most frequently reported primary tumor in the long bones of the hand, is a common benign cartilaginous tumor, defined more exactly as a benign mature hyaline cartilaginous tumor that is located into the medullar space of the tubular bones. Between 2012 and 2018, we performed an observational study on six patients (two males and four females), aged 16 to 49 years old (mean 29.5 years), who were diagnosed during routine physical examinations with isolated enchondroma in their hand. The tumor was more frequently located in their proximal phalanges (four patients), while two patients had middle phalange tumors. The most common digit involved was the little finger (five patients), followed by the ring finger (one patient). The symptoms, which prompted surgical interventions, were: enlargement without fracture (two patients), pain or limitation of mobility (four patients), pain without pathological fracture (six patients). Studied patients were completely assessed before the treatment program (surgical intervention and rehabilitation program). The measured parameters and scales used were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scale for functional status and histological exam. For both VAS and HAQ, we observed a statistically significant difference between the initial and final evaluations, with p=0.03 and p=0.035, respectively. Histological assessment and differential diagnosis are essential for the post-surgical treatment and rehabilitation program.