range of motion of metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints in patients with systemic sclerosis treated with adipose derived stromal vascular fraction

Abstract Objective: The limitation of digital mobility very commonly affects patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). In this study, we aimed to report the changes in the active Range of Motion (ROM) of the Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) joints after local injection of the Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction (ADSVF). Methods: This was a retrospective study in which the results regarding the active ROM of the digital joints in 10 patients treated using the ADSVF were reviewed. The patients were diagnosed with SSc according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology and LeRoy and Medsger’s criteria. The right hand of a patient was treated through local injection of the ADSVF, and the left hand of the patient was considered the control hand. The active ROM of the MCP and PIP joints in both hands was evaluated before and 168 days post-treatment. Results: We found that the ROM of the MCP joint in each finger of the control hand had decreased significantly; in contrast, there was a significant increase in the active ROM of the MCP joints in the treated hand. There were no significant changes in the active ROM of the PIP joints in the treated hand. The changes in the active ROM did not lead to a significant modification of the Cochin-Hand-Function-Scale scores. Conclusion: We found that the ROM of the MCP joint in each finger of the control hand had decreased significantly; in contrast, there was a significant increase in the active ROM of the MCP joints in the treated hand. There were no significant changes in the active ROM of the PIP joints in the treated hand. The changes in the active ROM did not lead to a significant modification of the Cochin-Hand-Function-Scale scores. Keywords Articular; Finger joint; Metacarpophalangeal joint; Systemic sclerosis; Range of motion