Objective To compare the effectiveness of open reduction and hook plate fixation versus closed indirect reduction and dorsal extension blocking Kirschner wire fixation for bony mallet fingers. Methods The clinical data of 68 patients with bony mallet finger who admitted between May 2019 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 33 cases were in the open group (treated with open reduction and hook plate fixation) and 35 cases were in the closed group (treated with closed indirect reduction and dorsal extension blocking Kirschner wire fixation). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, the affected side, the affected finger, cause of injury, time from injury to operation, and Wehbé-Schneider classification (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, fracture healing time, time of returning to work, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. At 12 months after operation, visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the pain of the injured finger, active flexion range of motion and extension deficit of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) were measured by goniometer, and the effectiveness was assessed by Crawford criteria. Results All patients in the two groups were followed up 12-26 months, with an average of 15 months. There was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the closed group and the open group (P>0.05). The operation time in the closed group was shorter than that in the open group, and the intraoperative fluoroscopy times, the fracture healing time, and the time of returning to work in the closed group were more than those in the open group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). In the closed group, there were 5 cases of pinning tract infection and 3 cases of small area pressure ulcer skin necrosis on the dorsal side of the finger, which were cured after intensive nursing and dressing change. Local nail depression deformity occurred in 7 cases in the open group, and the deformity disappeared after removal of plate. The incisions of the other patients healed uneventfully without complications such as infection, skin necrosis, exposure of the internal fixation, or nail deformity. There was no significant difference in the incidence of skin necrosis between the two groups (P>0.05), but the differences in the incidence of infection and nail deformity between the two groups were significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS score, DIP active flexion range of motion, DIP extension deficiency, or Crawford criteria evaluation between the two groups at 12 months after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, there was no DIP osteoarthritis and joint degeneration in both groups. Conclusion Open reduction and hook plate fixation versus closed indirect reduction and dorsal extension blocking Kirschner wire fixation have their own advantages and disadvantages, but both of them have good results in the treatment of bony mallet fingers. Open reduction and hook plate fixation is recommended for young patients with bony mallet fingers who are eager to return to work.
Since 1989, 17 cases ( 18 fingers) of mallet finger underwent surgical repair of the extensor tendons of the fingers combined with postoperative perpendicular pin transfixion. The follow-up was through 3 to 8 months. The results were 13 satisfactory, 4 improved and one failure. The method of pin transfixion was introduced in detail, and the classification of mallet fingers and the principles of treatment were discussed in detail, and the classification of mallet fingers and the principles of treatment were discussed.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Kirschner wire (K-wire) elastic fixation in the treatment of Doyle type Ⅰ and Ⅱ mallet finger. Methods Between July 2016 and March 2017, 18 patients with Doyle type Ⅰ and Ⅱ mallet finger were treated. There were 12 males and 6 males, with an average age of 45 years (range, 16-61 years). The index finger was involved in 2 cases, the middle finger in 3 cases, the ring finger in 10 cases, and the little finger in 3 cases. The interval from injury to operation ranged from 2 hours to 45 days (median, 5.5 hours). There were 8 patients of closed wound and 10 patients of open wound. Fourteen patients were simply extensor tendon rupture and 4 were extensor tendon rupture complicated with avulsion fracture. The distal interphalangeal joints (DIPJ) of injured fingers were elastically fixed with the K-wire at mild dorsal extend position. The K-wire was removed after 6 weeks, and the functional training started. Results The operation time was 34-53 minutes (mean, 38.9 minutes). Patients were followed up 3-8 months (mean, 5 months). All incisions healed primarily and no K-wire loosening or infection happened during the period of fixation. All mallet fingers were corrected. The range of motion (ROM) in terms of active flexion of injured DIPJ was (75.83±11.15)° at 6 weeks after operation, showing significant difference when compared with the normal DIPJ of contralateral finger [(85.28±6.06)°] (t=3.158, P=0.003). The ROM in terms of active flexion was (82.67±6.78)° in 15 patients who were followed up at 8 months after operation, showing no significant difference when compared with the normal DIPJ of contralateral finger [(86.00±5.73)°] (t=1.454, P=0.157). After the removal of K-wire at 6 weeks, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of active flexion and of passive flexion to maximum angle were 1.78±0.88 and 3.06±1.06, respectively. According to the total active motion criteria, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, moderate in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 83.33%. The patients’ satisfaction were accessed by Likert scale, which were 3-5 (mean, 4.2). Conclusion K-wire elastic fixation in the treatment of Doyle typeⅠand Ⅱ mallet finger can repair the extensor effectively, correct the mallet finger deformity, and also be benefit for the flexion-extension function restoration of DIPJ.
Objective To evaluate the clinical results of mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture treated with Ishiguro method. Methods Twenty-seven patients suffering from mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture weretreated with Ishiguro method or its modified method. During the operation, a blocking pin was inserted percutaneously with DIP flexed, then the DIP was fixed at a position of full extension with another Kirschner wire. When the fracture fragment was big with rotation displacement, a third Kirschner wire could be used to correct the displacement and fix fracture. Results The patients were followed up 2 months to 6 years and 6 months with an average of 9.3 months postoperatively. Andthe clinical results were evaluated with the modified Crawford’s criteria, including DIP pain, range of motion and pinch power. The rate of bone union was 100%. The results were excellent in 7 patients, good in 11 patients, moderate in 8 patients and poor in 1 patient. After operation, the range of flexion was 54.19°±14.45° , while the range of extension was －4.96°±9.27°. The X-ray sign of slight osteoarthritis could be seen in one patient. [WTHZ]Conclusion Ishiguro method is simple, effective and less invasive. It is suitable for treatment of mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture in the treatment of mallet fingers. MethodsBetween June 2010 and March 2011, 33 patients with mallet fingers were treated by micro-anchor repair method (n=18, group A) and by modified pull-out suture method in which the broken tendons were sutured with double metal needle Bunnell’s suture and a knot was tied palmarly (n=15, group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). ResultsThe operation time was (62.5 ± 3.1) minutes in group A and (65.0 ± 4.6) minutes in group B, showing no significant difference (t=1.85, P=0.07). The treatment expense in group A [(8 566.2 ± 135.0) yuan] was significantly higher than that in group B [(5 297.0 ± 183.5) yuan] (t=58.92, P=0.00). Incision infection occurred in 2 cases of group A and 1 case of group B; the other patients obtained healing of incision by first intention. Relapsed mallet finger was observed in 1 case of group B. All patients in 2 groups were followed up 12-21 months. According to the Crawford functional assessment system, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case at the last follow-up with an excellent and good rate of 83.3% in group A; the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 86.7% in group B. There was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (χ2=0.23, P=0.97). ConclusionBoth micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture are simple and effective methods in the treatment of mallet finger. But compared with micro-anchor repair, pull-out suture has lower expense.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation with double Kirschner wires for Wehbe-Schneider types ⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers. Methods Between May 2017 and June 2020, 21 patients with Wehbe-Schneider type ⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers were treated with one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation using double Kirschner wires. There were 15 males and 6 females with an average age of 39.2 years (range, 19-62 years). The causes of injury were sports injury in 9 cases, puncture injury in 7 cases, and sprain in 5 cases. The time from injury to admission was 5-72 hours (mean, 21.0 hours). There were 2 cases of index finger injury, 8 cases of middle finger injury, 9 cases of ring finger injury, and 2 cases of little finger injury. The angle of active dorsiflexion loss of distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) was (40.04±4.02)°. According to the Wehbe-Schneider classification standard, there were 10 cases of typeⅠB and 11 cases of type ⅡB. The Kirschner wire was removed at 6 weeks after operation when X-ray film reexamination showed bony union of the avulsion fracture, and the functional exercise of the affected finger was started. Results The operation time was 35-55 minutes (mean, 43.9 minutes). The length of hospital stay was 2-5 days (mean, 3.4 days). No postoperative complications occurred. All patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 8.8 months). X-ray films reexamination showed that all avulsion fractures achieved bony union after 4-6 weeks (mean, 5.3 weeks). Kirschner wire was removed at 6 weeks after operation. After Kirschner removal, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score of pain during active flexion of the DIPJ was 1-3 (mean, 1.6); the VAS score of pain was 2-5 (mean, 3.1) when the DIPJ was passively flexed to the maximum range of motion. The angle of active dorsiflexion loss of affected finger was (2.14±2.54)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative angle (t=52.186, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the active flexion angle between the affected finger (79.52±6.31)° and the corresponding healthy finger (81.90±5.36)° (t=1.319, P=0.195). At 6 months after operation, according to Crawford functional evaluation criteria, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 11 cases, good in 9, and fair in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 95.24%. Conclusion For Wehbe-Schneider typesⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers, one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation with double Kirschner wires can effectively correct the deformity and has the advantages of simple surgery, no incision, and no influence on the appearance of the affected finger.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of part long thumb extensor tendon dorsal ulnar artery chimeric flap for repair of Doyle type Ⅲ mallet finger of thumb. MethodsBetween June 2013 and April 2015, 9 cases of Doyle type Ⅲ mallet finger of thumb were treated, which were caused by planer injury. There were 6 males and 3 females, aged from 15 to 65 years (mean, 36 years). The time from injury to operation was 3-8 hours (mean, 5 hours). All cases had interphalangeal joint dorsal skin and soft tissue defects of the thumb; the skin defects ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 2.3 cm×2.3 cm; the extensor tendon defect ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 cm in length (mean, 1.0 cm). The part long thumb extensor tendon dorsal ulnar artery chimeric flap of 3.0 cm×2.5 cm to 3.5 cm×3.0 cm in size was used to reconstruct extensor tendon and wound. The donor site was repaired with nasopharyngeal fossa perforating branches pedicled V-Y relay flap. ResultsAll flaps survived completely and incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 4-12 months (mean, 6 months). The flaps had good color, texture, and contour. At 6 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of chimeric flap was 10-12 mm (mean, 11 mm), and two-point discrimination of relay flap was 12-14 mm (mean, 13 mm). The interphalangeal joint flexion of thumb was 0-40°, and the thumb opposition function was normal. ConclusionPart long thumb extensor tendon dorsal ulnar artery chimeric flap can repair the Doyle type Ⅲ mallet finger of thumb, which has no injury to the artery and nerve. At the same time the relay flap can achieve linear healing, so good appearance and function of the thumb can be obtained.
Through dissection of 12 fresh finger specimens, the anatomy of the distal part of dorsal aponeurosis and its function was closely observed. A direct reparative procedure of the terminal tendon by using tendon flap graft was deseribed for the treatment of chronic mallet finger deformity. Correction of deformity, restoration of active motion of DIP and avoidance of residual pain were observed in three clinical cases.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the terminal extensor tendon reconstrution by palmaris longus tendon graft for the treatment of old mallet finger deformity. Methods Between February 2009 and February 2011, 32 patients with old mallet finger deformity were treated with palmaris longus tendon graft. There were 28 males and 4 females with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 22-58 years). The injury causes included sports injury in 26 cases and punctured injury in 6 cases. The index finger was involved in 8 cases, the middle finger in 3 cases, the ring finger in 16 cases, and the little finger in 5 cases. According to the Rockwell’s classification, all patients were classified as type I. The time from injury to operation was 4-16 weeks (mean, 6 weeks). Results Primary healing was obtained in all incisions; no necrosis, infection, or nail bed injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 14 months). The patients had no pain or paresthesia of volar finger. According to Patel’s functional assessment system, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case at last follow-up, with an excellent and good rate of 90.6%. Conclusion Reconstruction of the terminal extensor tendon by palmaris longus tendon graft is a reliable method to treat old mallet finger deformity.