Intramedullary headless screw fixation for fractures of the proximal and middle phalanges in the digits of the hand: a review of 31 consecutive fractures

J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2016 Sep;41(7):688-94. doi: 10.1177/1753193416641330. Epub 2016 Apr 7.

Abstract

We present the results of 26 patients with 31 consecutive displaced or unstable extra-articular fractures of the base and shaft of the proximal and middle phalanges of the digits of the hand, treated over a period of 12 months with an intramedullary headless compression screw and early mobilization with no splinting. All fractures healed with no major complications. Only one patient, who had a pathological fracture through an enchondroma, required a tenolysis to improve the mobility of the finger. This technique seems to be technically simple, effective and with few drawbacks.

Level of evidence: IV.

Keywords: Proximal phalanx; compression screw; finger fracture; headless screw; intramedullary splinting; middle phalanx; osteosynthesis; osteosynthesis in the hand; phalanx fracture; phalanx fracture fixation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Screws*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Early Ambulation
  • Female
  • Finger Phalanges / injuries*
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / instrumentation*
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult