Methods and pitfalls in treatment of fractures in the digits

Reena A Bhatt; Scott Schmidt; Felix Stang

doi:10.1016/j.cps.2014.03.003

Methods and pitfalls in treatment of fractures in the digits

Clin Plast Surg. 2014 Jul;41(3):429-50. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2014.03.003.

Authors

Reena A Bhatt¹, Scott Schmidt², Felix Stang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Plastic Surgery, The Miriam and Rhode Island Hospitals, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 235 Plain Street, Bayside Suite 203, Providence, RI 02905, USA. Electronic address: Reena.Bhatt.MD@Gmail.Com.
² Department of Plastic Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 235 Plain Street, Bayside Suite 203, Providence, RI 02905, USA; Department of Plastic Surgery, Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA.
³ Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Burns Unit, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Luebeck 23538, Germany.

PMID: 24996463
DOI: 10.1016/j.cps.2014.03.003

Abstract

This article describes the indications for and methods of managing phalangeal fractures. The fractures around the finger joints are particularly difficult to treat. The technical details and pitfalls for these cases are discussed in detail. The problems associated with the phalangeal fractures such as articular destruction, nonunion, and postoperative care are also discussed. The authors present their preferred surgical treatment, with review of recent advancement regarding the treatment of phalangeal fractures.

Keywords: Condylar fracture; Early active finger motion; External fixator; Internal fixation; Intraarticular fracture dislocation; Mallet finger; Phalangeal fracture; Tuft fracture.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Finger Injuries / diagnostic imaging
Finger Injuries / surgery*
Fingers / surgery*
Fracture Fixation / methods*
Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
Fractures, Bone / surgery*
Humans
Radiography