title: Delayed treatment of unstable proximal interphalangeal joint fracture-dislocations with a dynamic external fixator.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) remain a challenging problem to treat. Although there are a number of papers describing the use of dynamic external fixators and force couples for treatment of unstable PIPJ fracture-dislocations acutely, the literature is scarce on delayed treatment of PIPJ fracture-dislocations, where malunion of the articular surface may theoretically compromise postoperative range of motion (ROM) at the PIPJ. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic distraction external fixation (DDEF) for the delayed treatment of PIPJ fracture-dislocations at least 3 weeks after the inciting injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten consecutive patients were treated with delayed DDEF between 2010 and 2013. Postoperative ROM at the PIPJ was measured. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire were administered to all patients postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean time from injury to surgery was 27.5 days. The mean follow-up period was 23.7 months (range 10-36). The mean active ROM at the PIPJ on final postoperative follow-up was 83.9° (range 52-100). None of the patients experienced pin-tract infections. Mean DASH score was 3.7+3.4 and mean Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire score was 97.3+3.0. All patients returned to work and resumed normal activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delayed treatment of unstable PIPJ fracture-dislocations with a DDEF is effective in restoring function to the PIPJ. Nascent malunion of the PIPJ articular surface does not compromise postoperative outcomes and the joint surface undergoes remodelling over time to restore a smooth and functional articular surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Xiao Fang
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Jing Yi
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: ruiyj@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yong Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Rui
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Ming Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Jiandong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. Electronic address: harveychim@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Distraction; External fixation; Pilon fractures; Proximal interphalangeal joint; Unstable PIP joint fracture-dislocations