Evaluation of Fragment Reduction Feasibility When Treating Bony Mallet Finger Using Extension Block K-Wire Technique

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate fragment reduction feasilibty when applying extension block Kirschner-wire technique for bony mallet finger. METHODS: We treated 48 displaced mallet finger fractures by a two extension block Kirschner-wire technique. Among these operation group, we found dorsal rotation of fragment in 18 cases, making it difficult to get anatomical reduction. The patients were divided into two groups. One group of 30 patients did not show dorsal rotation of fragment and anatomical reduction was achieved easily. Another group of 18 patients showed dorsal rotation of fragment and additional methods was applied to achieve anatomical reduction. RESULTS: Joint surface involvement was significant greater in groups showing dorsal rotation of fragment than group which did not show (57.1% and 49.7%, respectively) (p=0.01). The groups whose joint surface involvement more than 50% had higher risk of dorsal rotation of fragment than the group less than 50%, with the odds ratio of 6.11. CONCLUSION: We could encounter the cases which showed dorsal rotation of the fracture fragment when treating the bony mallet finger with extension block K-wire technique especially the joint surface involvement was more than 50%. So if we can evaluate the extents of joint surface involvement and prepare additional method preoperatively when dorsal rotation of fragment is expected, it is possible to get more favorable results.

Review of Acute Traumatic Closed Mallet Finger Injuries in Adults

In adults, mallet finger is a traumatic zone I lesion of the extensor tendon with either tendon rupture or bony avulsion at the base of the distal phalanx. High-energy mechanisms of injury generally occur in young men, whereas lower energy mechanisms are observed in elderly women. The mechanism of injury is an axial load applied to a straight digit tip, which is then followed by passive extreme distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) hyperextension or hyperflexion. Mallet finger is diagnosed clinically, but an X-ray should always be performed. Tubiana's classification takes into account the size of the bony articular fragment and DIPJ subluxation. We propose to stage subluxated fractures as stage III if the subluxation is reducible with a splint and as stage IV if not. Left untreated, mallet finger becomes chronic and leads to a swan-neck deformity and DIPJ osteoarthritis. The goal of treatment is to restore active DIPJ extension. The results of a six- to eight-week conservative course of treatment with a DIPJ splint in slight hyperextension for tendon lesions or straight for bony avulsions depends on patient compliance. Surgical treatments vary in terms of the approach, the reduction technique, and the means of fixation. The risks involved are stiffness, septic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Given the lack of consensus regarding indications for treatment, we propose to treat all cases of mallet finger with a dorsal glued splint except for stage IV mallet finger, which we treat with extra-articular pinning.

Modified Extension Block Technique for Large Mallet Fracture

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the clinical results of modified extension block technique for large mallet fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2006 to August 2007, we reviewed 16 patients who got surgery with large mallet fracture. Surgical indications included fractures involving more than 33% of the articular surface or fractures associated with subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint. The average age was 32.6 years old. The average time from injury to surgery was 10days. We performed modified extension block technique in all patients. The pins were removed between 5 to 6 weeks when we confirmed bone union by radiology. Function outcomes were determined by using the Crawford criteria. RESULTS: The average fracture fragment size was 52% of the joint surface. Average time to fracture union was 5.4weeks(4.5~7.5weeks). At a mean follow-up of 8.2months(5-13months) average extension loss was 3degrees (0-10degrees )and average flexion was 77degrees (60-85degrees ). According to Crawford classification, 81.3% of paitents had excellent or good results. There were 2 nail deformity. CONCLUSION: Modified extension block technique can make up for the weak points of traditional techique in the treatment for large mallet fracture.

Percutaneous Kirschner Wire Fixation of Acute Mallet Fractures Percutaneousely Reduced by Towel Clip

PURPOSE: To analyze the treatment of clinical results of the percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of acute mallet fractures percutaneousely reduced by towel clip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2005 to April 2009, we evaluated nine fingers in eight patients, more than three months follow up. The type of injury was a axial loading in seven cases and direct blow in two. The average follow-up period was 10.1 months (range: 3~41 months). The indication of operative treatment was the presence of large bony fragment or the palmar subluxation of the distal phalnx. RESULTS: The range of motion was 3.7degrees (0~10degrees) in extension lag and 76.7degrees (60~90degrees) of flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of acute mallet fractures percutaneousely reduced by towel clip is one of the easy and simple method to stabilizing of bony mallet fracture.

Closed Reduction of Mallet Fractures using Extension Black Kirshner Wire / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Operative repair of mallet fracture is a technically difficult operation because fracture of fragment and the difficulty in visualizing the articular congruity. The problems with these methods include soft tissue scar formation and subsequent joint stiffness. From January 1993 to April 1994, eight cases of mallet fingers with displaced large fracture fragment and/or subluxed distal phalanx were treated by closed reduction using extension-block Kirschner wire. The follow-up evaluation took place after a mean of 6 months. The results according to Crawford's criteria were four excellent, two good and two fair. This technique is simple, and easier than other techniques for reduction of mallet fractures, and is associated with a low morbidity.