title: Chronic flexion contracture of proximal interphalangeal joint treated with the compass hinge external fixator. A consecutive series of 27 cases.
abstract: Twenty-seven chronic flexion contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint were treated with the Compass((R)) hinge external fixator without open surgery. The fixator was removed after a mean of 33 (range, 14-68) days. The mean time from injury to operation was 4 (range, 1-19) years and all patients were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 21 (range, 12-50) months. The mean extension gain was 38 degrees (range, 0-70 degrees), and the mean flexion-extension arc improved by 42 degrees (range, 0-80 degrees). Complications included superficial pin-track infection in 11 cases and pin loosening in four cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Hand Section, Odense University Hospital, Denmark
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Houshian
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gynning
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Schrøder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003286:Contracture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018583:Pliability; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors