title: Unstable phalangeal fractures: treatment by A.O. screw and plate fixation.
abstract: A prospective study of fifty-two fresh traumatic unstable fractures of the proximal or middle phalanges of the hand in forty-seven patients was reviewed. All the fractures were fixed with A.O. miniature screws and plates. The overall results were not satisfactory and complications were frequent. Only 26.9% of the fractures had good results. Fractures associated with significant soft tissue injuries had very poor results. When the present series was compared with a comparable group of fractures fixed with Kirschner wires, there was no significant improvement in the results. The unsatisfactory outcome of this group of unstable fractures may be largely due to the frequent association with poor prognostic factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital.
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Pun
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crosby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography