J Korean Fract Soc.  2022 Oct;35(4):169-181. 10.12671/jkfs.2022.35.4.169.

Current Concepts in Management of Phalangeal Fractures

• Lee Y
• Park S
• Lee JK

• KMID: 2534406
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2022.35.4.169

Abstract

This review focused on the research published to date on the treatment of phalangeal fractures according to the anatomical location of the finger bones, excluding the thumb. In many finger fracture cases, conservative treatment should be prioritized over surgical treatment. The three determinants of surgical treatment are the presence of an intra-articular fracture, the stability of the fracture itself, and the degree of damage to the surrounding soft tissues. Surgical treatment is recommended when bone fragments of 3 mm or more and distal phalanx subluxation are present in the bony mallet finger, and the main surgical treatment is closed reduction and extension block pin fixation. It is essential to pay attention to rotational deformation asf ractures occur proximally. Since intra-articular fractures can cause stiffness and arthritis in the future, a computed tomography scan is recommended to confirm the fracture pattern. These fractures require anatomical reduction of the bone fragments within the joint, and the instability of the joint itself must be corrected. There are no superior surgical treatment methods. It is therefore advantageous for the surgeon to select a surgical method that he is familiar with and confident of performing, considering the fracture itself and various patient-related clinical factors. Nonunion is rare as a complication of a finger fracture, and finger stiffness is the most common complication. Ensuring rapid joint movement as soon as possible can reduce finger stiffness.

Keyword

Fixation; Fracture; Hand; Metacarpal; Phalangeal