title: Treatment of complex interphalangeal joint fractures with dynamic external traction: a series of 20 cases.
abstract: Data are reported for a series of 20 patients who were treated with the pins and rubbers traction system for fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the long fingers. This technique allows fracture reduction with external dynamic traction and immediate active mobilization. Two patients in the series were lost to follow-up monitoring. For two others, the pins and rubbers traction system needed to be removed early (during the first week) because of intolerance or infection. Sixteen patients who were reexamined after minimal follow-up periods of 1 year demonstrated a mean active range of motion of 85.9 degrees for the injured joint; only one patient experienced intermittent pain.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Plastique et Reconstructrice de l'Appareil Locomoteur, Hôpital Jeanne d'Arc, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nancy, France. f.duteille@voila.fr
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Duteille
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pasquier
authors.forename: Aymeric
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dautel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation*