title: Antegrade joint-sparing intramedullary wiring for middle phalanx shaft fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome for surgical stabilization of middle phalanx shaft fractures with joint-sparing antegrade intramedullary K-wire fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated 15 extra-articular transverse or short oblique shaft fractures of the middle phalanx in 13 patients. All fractures were treated with closed reduction internal fixation with antegrade joint-sparing intramedullary K-wires. Patients had a minimum follow-up of 1 year (range, 1-10 y). We assessed the objective outcome at 6 months by calculating total active range of motion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All fractures healed. Based on the total active motion score at 6 months, 10 digits showed excellent results, 3 digits were good, 1 was fair, and 1 was poor. Among 3 patients with an associated flexor tendon injury, 2 had excellent outcomes and one had a poor outcome. For 2 patients with an associated extensor tendon injury, 1 had a good outcome and the other had a fair outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antegrade intramedullary wiring for extra-articular transverse and short oblique shaft  fracture of middle phalanx is a simple, safe, inexpensive, and joint-sparing technique that provides enough fracture stability, even in cases of associated injuries, for early rehabilitation and functional recovery with the expectation of a good to excellent outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic IV.
authors.affiliation: Patankar's Hand and Limb Reconstruction Clinic, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Anoop C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dhamangaonkar
authors.affiliation: Patankar's Hand and Limb Reconstruction Clinic, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Electronic address: drhemant.patankar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hemant S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Patankar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000293:injuries; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Antegrade; intramedullary; middle; phalanx; wire