title: Extension block pinning using a small external fixator for mallet finger fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe surgical outcomes of a series of patients with bony mallet fingers treated by a modified extension blocking technique with external fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed an external fixator that was attached to the extension block pin. Dorsal rotation of the dorsal fragment during reduction was prevented with 1 or 2 additional pins abutted on the fragment through the fixator. We reviewed 12 consecutive patients with mallet finger fractures who were treated surgically with the external fixator. The mean age of the patients was 33 years (range, 15-60 y).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rotation of the fragment during reduction was well controlled in all patients. All fractures united at an average of 5 weeks after surgery. Average extension lag was 2° and active flexion was 74°. No patient reported pain at a final follow-up of 4 months (range, 3-8 mo). According to the Crawford rating scale, 10 patients were classified as excellent and 2 were good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our modification of the extension block method prevented dorsal rotation of the fragment during reduction and resulted in early union.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo; and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, JR Tokyo General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: miura-ort@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001858:Bone Nails; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mallet finger fracture; extension block; external fixator; treatment