title: Displaced unstable transverse fractures of the shaft of the proximal phalanx of the fingers in industrial workers: reduction and K-wire fixation leaving the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints free.
abstract: A series of 35 adult male industrial workers with displaced unstable transverse fractures of the shaft of the proximal phalanx of the fingers were treated with reduction and K-wire fixation leaving the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints free to move immediately after surgery. At final follow-up, the total active motion score of the injured finger was graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor if it was greater than 240°, 220-240°, 180-219°, or less than 180°, respectively. Complications were also documented. The results were compared with our previously published series of these fractures treated with two other techniques: percutaneous K-wires immobilizing the metacarpophalangeal joint and open reduction and interosseous loop wire fixation. The final TAM scores in the current study were excellent in 43%, good in 29%, fair in 14% and poor in 14%. Four out of the 35 patients (11%) had minor pin tract infection. These results were significantly better than the results following percutaneous K-wire fixation immobilizing the metacarpophalangeal joint indicating that immediate mobilization of all joints has a significant effect on the outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. moqattan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mohammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al-Qattan
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000293:injuries*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome