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

ABSTRACT

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.