Abstract
Young people sometimes suffer from mallet finger after a distal phalanx fracture, but in some cases satisfactory results are not achieved. Since 1987, we have treated 14 mallet fingers after a distal phalanx fracture using both conservative and surgical methods. They were studied retrospectively, and clinical results were evaluated in ROM recovery and roentgenographic alignment.
Five cases were treated conservatively with splint and brace. ROM limitation remained in 2 cases, especially with extension. Malalignment of the joint surface was also detected in 3 cases.
Nine cases were treated surgically. Five were treated by the pull-out wiring method (1987-1988), and 4 by the tension band wiring method (1988-1990). Flexion was limited in 4 of the pull-out wiring method cases and in 1 of the tension band wiring method case. Malalignment of the joint surface was not detected in these surgical cases. The results of the tension band wiring method cases were better than those of the pull-out wiring method cases.
