title: Minimally invasive surgical treatment for unstable fractures of the proximal phalanx: intramedullary screw.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the clinical-functional parameters and quality of life of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgical treatment for extra-articular fractures of the proximal phalanx, using an intramedullary screw (Acutrak(®)).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2011 and September 2014, a prospective study was conducted on 41 patients (48 fingers) with unstable extra-articular fractures of the proximal phalanx, who underwent minimally invasive surgical treatment using an intramedullary screw (Acutrak(®)). These patients were evaluated 12 months after the surgery by means of the DASH quality-of-life questionnaire, VAS pain scale, measurement of range of motion (ROM, in degrees) and radiographic assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients achieved adequate reduction and consolidation of their fractures. There were statistically significant improvements in quality of life on the DASH scale, pain on the VAS scale and range of motion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The minimally invasive technique for treating unstable extra-articular fractures of the proximal phalanx using an intramedullary screw (Acutrak(®)) is effective and safe, and it presents satisfactory clinical-functional results.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcio Aurélio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Aita
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Augusto Castro
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mos
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gisele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Paula Cardoso Marques Leite
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Saleme
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos Vinicius
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Credídio
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Fernandes
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: da Costa
keywords: Fracture fixation; Fractures of the proximal phalanx; Internal facture fixation