Surgical Treatment of Mallet Finger Deformity with Hook Plate

Choi, Seok Min; Jung, Sung Gyun; Shin, Ho Seong; Park, Eun Soo; Kim, Yong Bae

Abstract

PURPOSE: The bony mallet finger injury is generally managed by conservative treatments. But operative treatments are needed especially when the fractures involve above 30% of articular surface, or when distal phalanx is accompanied by subluxation in the volar side. This is the reason why they often result in chronic instability, articular subluxation and cosmetic dissatisfaction. In this report, We describe new method using the hook plate as an operative treatment of mallet finger deformity.
METHODS
Among 13 patients with mallet finger deformity who came from February 2006 to February 2008, six patients were included in surgical indication. Under local anesthesia, H or Y type incision was made at the DIP joint area. After the DIP joint extension, the hook plate was put on the fracture line, and one self tapping screw was used for fixation. 2 hole plate which was one of the holes in 1.5 mm diameter was cut in almost half and bended by approximately 100 degrees.
RESULTS
In all six cases which were applied the hook plate, complications such as loss of reduction or nail deformity were not seen. In only one patient, hook pate was removed due to inflammatory reaction after the surgery. In 2 weeks after the operation, active motion of DIP joint was performed. The result was satisfactory not only cosmetically but also functionally. In 6 weeks after the operation, the range of motion of DIP joint was average 64 degrees.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of the operative treatment for mallet finger deformity using the hook plate is to provide anatomical reduction with rigid fixation and to prevent contracture at the DIP joint. While other operations takes 6 weeks, the operation using the hook plate took only two weeks to enable active motion. Complication rate was low and the method is rather simple. Thus, the operation using the hook plate is recommended as a good alternative method for the mallet finger deformity treatment.