title: Two extension block Kirschner wire technique for mallet finger fractures.
abstract: We treated 32 displaced mallet finger fractures by a two extension block Kirschner-wire technique. The clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 49 months (25 to 84). The mean joint surface involvement was 38.4% (33% to 50%) and 18 patients (56%) had accompanying joint subluxation. All 32 fractures united with a mean time to union of 6.2 weeks (5.1 to 8.2). Congruent joint surfaces and anatomical reduction were seen in all cases. The mean flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints was 83.1 degrees (75 degrees to 90 degrees ) and the mean extension loss was 0.9 degrees (0 degrees to 7 degrees ). No digit had a prominent dorsal bump or a recurrent mallet deformity. We believe that this technique, when properly applied, produces satisfactory results both clinically and radiologically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, 28 Yeonkeon-dong, Chongro-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult