Retrospectively, to evaluate the result of treatment by curettage only, enchondroma of the digits.

Fifty-nine cases in 30 patients (male 11, female 19), from July 1997 to Febuary 2002, were reviewed with a minimum follow up of 1 year. Thirty patients were treated for enchondroma of the digits (including Ollier's disease 9, and Maffucci syndrome 2) by curettage only, and the degree of healing was evaluated radiologically. The average duration of follow up was 28.6 months (12-65 months).

The radiologic results were evaluated according to the degree of new bone formation by the criteria suggested by Tordai. Group I achieved 79.7% overall and 89.5% for solitary enchondroma, meaning complete healing with normal cortical thickness and a bone defect of less than 3 mm. The average duration of consolidation was 12.4 months, and 8.1months for solitary enchondorma. No recurrence or other complication occured.

Curettage alone is a good treatment option for enchondroma of the digits as comparing with autogenous bone graft, which has the disadvantages of pain, infection, and immobilization.