title: Corrective osteotomy for post-traumatic malunion of the phalanges in the hand.
abstract: Rotation, angulation, deviation, shortening or a combination of deformities can occur due to phalangeal malunion and can lead to impairment of hand function. A historical cohort study of 57 patients who had phalangeal corrective osteotomies for posttraumatic malunion between 1978 and 1990 was undertaken. 59 rotational, radial/ulnar deviation, flexion/extension, length adjustment procedures, and combinations thereof were performed, using rigid internal fixation. Concurrent tenocapsulolysis was done in 50% of the cases. Satisfactory correction was obtained in 76% of the patients. Bony union was obtained in all cases. A net gain in active range of motion was achieved in 89% of the patients. Excellent and good results were obtained in 96% of the patients who had corrective osteotomies for malunion involving only the bone and in 64% of the patients who had corrections for malunion with involvement of multiple structures (P < 0.01).
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Büchler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery