External Fixation for Surgical Treatment of a Mallet Finger

2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. KALELI ◽  
C. OZTURK ◽  
S. ERSOZLU

A new surgical technique is described for the treatment of mallet finger deformity which involves the application of a mini external fixator across the distal interphalangeal joint and resection of a portion of the extensor mechanism. We reviewed 19 patients who were treated with this technique, at a mean follow-up period of 36 (range, 24–48) months. The mean extensor lag was 2° (range, −7° to 13°) and the mean flexion range was 70° (range, 20°–90°).

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (03) ◽  
pp. 170-175
Author(s):  
In Tae Hong ◽  
Eugene Baek ◽  
Cheungsoo Ha ◽  
Soo-Hong Han

Abstract Background Closed tendinous mallet finger can be treated non-operatively by extension splinting of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) for 6 to 8 weeks. However, method of conservative treatment in detail differs among various reports, especially in type of orthosis, duration of full-time immobilization and additional night orthotic wear after full-time immobilization. In our institution, full-time Stack splint is applied with distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) in extension for 12 weeks and night orthosis is worn for 4 weeks. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and functional outcomes of tendinous mallet finger using our treatment protocol. Patients and Methods Between March 2007 and December 2017, patients with tendinous mallet finger who were managed conservatively according to our treatment protocol were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 100 patients (101 cases) were enrolled, including 77 males and 23 females. Extension lag was measured before, soon after treatment, and at the final follow-up. Flexion angle of DIP joint was measured at the final follow-up. Patients were clinically evaluated based on the Crawford classification scale and Abouna & Brown criteria. Results The mean age of patients was 40 years and the mean follow-up was 48 months. The mean extension lag was 28.3 degrees initially and 2.6 degrees at the final follow-up. (p-value < 0.001) Flexion angle at the final follow-up was 68.3 degrees. Based on the Crawford classification scale, 56 % of patients had excellent results, and 25 % of patients had good results. According to Abouna & Brown criteria, 78 % of patients had success results and 7.5 % of patients had improved results. Conclusions Wearing orthosis for up to 16 weeks (12 weeks full time and 4 weeks night orthosis) in the treatment of tendinous mallet finger injuries can achieve satisfying result.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 172-176
Author(s):  
Shigeki Nagura ◽  
Taku Suzuki ◽  
Takuji Iwamoto ◽  
Noboru Matsumura ◽  
Masaya Nakamura ◽  
...  

Background: The vast majority of acute closed tendinous mallet injuries are treated with a splint. Very few studies have directly compared splinting versus pinning the distal interphalangeal joint for this injury. The aim of this cohort study is to determine the outcomes of both methods. Methods: A total of 59 patients with acute tendinous mallet injury were retrospectively enrolled (29 patients in conservative treatment and 30 patients in surgical treatment). Conservative treatment was performed using custom-made thermoplastic splint and surgical treatment was conducted with oblique K-wire fixation of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. The DIP joint was immobilized for eight weeks in both treatments. Active ranges of motion of the affected finger and Miller’s classification were evaluated postoperatively. Results: The mean extension lag of the DIP joint in the surgical treatment group was significantly better than it was with conservative treatment (2.1° vs 13.8°). Three patients who were noncompliant with the splint showed poor results, while no patients in the surgical treatment group had a poor result. Conclusions: Surgical treatment with K-wire fixation leads to satisfactory results for acute tendinous mallet injury.


2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 521-525
Author(s):  
Branislav Starcevic ◽  
Marko Bumbasirevic ◽  
Aleksandar Lesic ◽  
Vidosava Radonjic ◽  
Dragan Miric

Introduction: The injury of the hand tendon classified as mallet finger presents the loss of continuity of the united lateral band of the extensor apparatus above distal interphalangeal joint, which consequently leads to specific deformity of distal interphalangeal joint which is called mallet (hammer) finger. Objective Our paper had several research Objectives: presentation of the existing Results of surgical and nonsurgical treatment of mallet finger deformities and comparison of our findings and other authors? Results. Method: The study was retro-prospective, and analyzed 62 patients treated in the Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade (at the Institute of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, and the Emergency Center) in the period 1998 to 2003. The follow up of these patients lasted at least 8 months (from 8.3 months to 71.7 months). An average follow up was 28.7 months. The Objective parameters used in the study were as follows: sex, age, dominating hand, hand injury, finger injury, mode of treatment, complications, distal interphalangeal joint flexion and total movement of the distal interphalangeal joint. Collected data were analyzed by ?2-test and Student?s t-test. The confidence interval was p=0.05. Results: A total range of motion was 51.9?6.6 for nonsurgically treated patients, and 48.2?4.2 degrees for operated patients. Mean extension deficit of the distal interphalangeal joint was 6.5?3.3 for nonsurgical and 10.0?3.2 for operated patients. Conclusion: The Results confirmed that nonsurgical mode of treatment of mallet finger deformity was much more successful than surgical Method of treating the same deformity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110593
Author(s):  
Atsuhiko Murayama ◽  
Kentaro Watanabe ◽  
Hideyuki Ota ◽  
Shigeru Kurimoto ◽  
Hitoshi Hirata

We retrospectively compared the results of volar plating and dynamic external fixation for acute unstable dorsal fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint with a depressed fragment. We treated 31 patients (31 fingers), 12 with volar buttress plating and 19 with dynamic external fixation. Follow-up averaged 35 and 40 months in the two groups, with a minimal 6-month follow-up. Average active flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint was 95° after plate fixation and 87° after external fixation, with an active extension lag of –6° and –9°, respectively. Active flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint averaged 67° in the plate group and 58° in the external fixation group, with active extension lags of 0° and –5°, respectively. We conclude that both methods can obtain a good range of motion at the proximal interphalangeal joint. A limitation of the extension of the distal interphalangeal joint occurred with dynamic external fixation but not with volar buttress plating. Level of evidence: IV


1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. REARDON ◽  
P. A. McARTHUR ◽  
S. K. SURVANA ◽  
T. M. BROTHERSTON

Nail spicules result from incomplete excision of the nail matrix of the finger. We report a histological study to delineate the surface anatomy of the nail matrix. Sections were cut longitudinally and transversely in 19 fingertips. The proximal midline extent of the nail matrix was measured and expressed as a ratio of the distance from the nail fold to the distal interphalangeal joint. In the lateral sections, the angle subtended between the midline vertical and the lateral extent of the nail matrix was measured. The mean ratio of the proximal extent was 0.55 in the midline and the lateral angular extent was 66°. The authors recommend that excision of the nail matrix should be rectangular, extending to the midlateral lines and proximally to a point three-quarters of the distance from the nail fold to the distal interphalangeal joint crease.


2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 1864-1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Hui Meng ◽  
Xinzhong Shao ◽  
Shumin Wen ◽  
Hongwei Zhu ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Dunn ◽  
John J. Kim ◽  
Lonnie Davis ◽  
Robert P. Nirschl

Background Good to excellent short-term results have been reported for the surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis using various surgical techniques. Hypothesis Surgical treatment for lateral epicondylitis using the mini-open Nirschl surgical technique will lead to durable results at long-term follow-up. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Records from 139 consecutive surgical procedures (130 patients) for lateral epicondylitis performed by 1 surgeon between 1991 and 1994 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighty-three patients (92 elbows) were available by telephone for a mean follow-up of 12.6 years (range, 10–14 years). Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale, Nirschl and Verhaar tennis elbow–specific scoring systems, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow form. Preoperative data were collected retrospectively. Results The mean age of the study group was 46 years (range, 23–70 years) with 45 men and 38 women. Eighty-seven of the procedures were primary, and 5 were revision tennis elbow surgeries. Concomitant procedures were performed in 30 patients including ulnar nerve release in 24 patients, medial tennis elbow procedures in 23 patients, shoulder arthroscopy in 2 patients, carpal tunnel release in 1 patient, and triceps debridement and osteophyte excision in 1 patient. The mean duration of preoperative symptoms was 2.2 years (range, 2 months to 10 years). The mean Nirschl tennis elbow score improved from 23.0 to 71.0, and the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 34.3 to 87.7 at a minimum of 10-year follow-up ( P < .05). The Numeric Pain Intensity Scale pain score improved from 8.4 preoperatively to 2.1 ( P < .05). Results were rated as excellent in 71 elbows, good in 6 elbows, fair in 9 elbows, and poor in 6 elbows by the Nirschl tennis elbow score. By the criteria of Verhaar et al, the results were excellent in 45 elbows, good in 32 elbows, fair in 8 elbows, and poor in 7 elbows. Eighty-four percent good to excellent results were achieved using both scoring systems. Ninety-two percent of the patients reported normal elbow range of motion. The overall improvement rate was 97%. Patient satisfaction averaged 8.9 of 10. Ninety-three percent of those available at a minimum of 10-year follow-up reported returning to their sports. Conclusion The mini-open Nirschl surgical technique with accurate resection of the tendinosis tissue remains highly successful in the long term.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-173
Author(s):  
Kyung Jin Lee ◽  
Jung Hyun Park ◽  
Sung Hoon Koh ◽  
Dong Chul Lee ◽  
Si Young Roh ◽  
...  

Kirschner wire (K-wire) has been widely used for treatment of fracture for its cost-effectiveness and reliability. This case presents the K-wire breakage in distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) fixation. A 55-year-old male patient was injured by a knife and showed rupture of extensor tendon at 1/2 of middle phalanx. A 0.9-mm K-wire was implemented for DIPJ extension, and tenorrhaphy was done. After 6 weeks, we detected breakage of K-wire in the follow-up X-ray. The broken K-wire in the distal phalanx was removed. We removed the remaining K-wire through an incision on volar side of middle phalanx under C-arm after 2 weeks for the patient’s personal reasons. Breakage during postoperative K-wire maintenance is exceedingly rare. This patient is presumed to have ruptured because he continued using his finger. Therefore, while K-wire is present, continued use of finger without protection may cause breakage, so protective measures such as splint are required.


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