title: Central slip tenotomy for chronic mallet finger.
abstract: We performed a retrospective audit of a consecutive series of twenty-three patients to evaluate the results of central slip tenotomy performed for chronic mallet finger. The surgery was performed at a mean of 42 (range four to 480) months after surgery and the pre-operative extensor lag at the distal interphalangeal joint was a mean of 44 (range 20-80) degrees. At the time of evaluation, at a mean of 33 (range six to 95) months after surgery, the extensor lag had improved to a mean of seven (range zero to 40) degrees. Using a simple clinical grading system, there were 12 excellent, six good, three fair and two poor results. Three patients had complications; one infection requiring antibiotics, and two who had post-operative extensor lags at the proximal interphalangeal joint which responded to a period of splinting and hand therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster DN2 5LT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: drsaghar2000@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asghar
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Helm
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D058971:Tenotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Central slip tenotomy; Extensor tendon; Fowler tenotomy; Mallet finger