title: Advances in reconstruction of digital joints.
abstract: The recent development of dynamic traction provides several advantages for the treatment of intra-articular fractures of the hand: Ligamentotaxis reduces fracture fragments and realigns joint surfaces, Contracture of joint ligament and periarticular structures is prevented, Collapse of fracture fragments is prevented, Cartilage healing and regeneration are enhanced, Joint mobility is retained, Extensive surgery may be avoided, As Leonardo da Vinci stated, "To understand motion is to understand nature."
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Schenck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D014143:Traction; D014945:Wound Healing