Treatment of the middle and proximal phalangeal fractures with lateral fixation of mini-titanium plate / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the treatment effects of middle and proximal phalangeal fractures with lateral fixation of mini-titanium plate.Methods From December 2011 to April 2015,56 patients (64 phalanges) suffered from closed middle and proximal phalangeal fractures were treated with lateral fixation of mini-titanium plate.There were 48 males and 8 females,aged from 17 to 65 years (average,36.3 years).Fractures included 25 cases of middle phalangeal fracture and 39 cases of proximal phalangeal fracture.According to site of fracture,12 cases were middle phalangeal condyle fractur,7 cases were middle phalangeal shaft fracture,6 cases were middle phalangeal base fracture,10 cases were proximal phalangeal condyle fracture,22 cases were proximal phalangeaal shaft fracture and 7 cases were proximal phalangeal base fracture.According to the type of fracture,13 cases were transverse,9 cases were short oblique,11 cases were long oblique,6 cases were spiral and 25 cases were comminuted fracture.All phalangeal fractures were exposed by lateral approach,in which the lateral band and oblique fibers of proximal phalanx were excised to fully expose proximal phalangeal fracture.After the reduction,the fractures were fixed with mini-titanium plate laterally.The Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand (DASH)and the bilateral fingers total active motion (TAM) were employed to evaluate the functions.All patients took X ray during follow-up.Results All 56 patients were followed up from 9 to 47 months,average (14 ± 6) months.Phalangeal fractures were healed from 7 to 14 weeks,average (8.8 ± 2.4) weeks without loss of fixation or malunion.At final follow-up,DASH score were from 1.7 to 7.5,with an average of 4.8 ± 2.2.TAM of the fingers was excellent (＞ 90％ TAM of the contralateral side) in 33/64 (51.5％) cases,good (75％-90％ TAM of the contralateral side) in 30/64 (46.9％) cas es,fair (50％-75％ TAM of the contralateral side) 1/64 (1.6％) cases.Conclusion Lateral approach fully exposes middle and proximal phalangeal fractures and less interferes with the extensor mechanism.Lateral fixation with mini-titanium plate could provide stability and allow early motion.This technique may be an optional choice in clinical practice.