The Biomechanical Impact of Digital Loss and Fusion Following Trauma: Setting the Patient up for Success

Abstract

Surgeons managing mutilating hand injures are faced with difficult decisions between attempting to salvage remaining or injured digits or proceeding to amputation and fusion. Through application of a basic understanding of hand biomechanics, the surgeon may more accurately predict what motion and function can best be salvaged. This article provides an explanation of how amputation, fusion, and tendon loss can affect postoperative hand motion. The surgeon can use these concepts in planning the reconstruction or preparing the foundation for secondary reconstructive procedures to achieve the highest functional outcome for the patient.

Keywords: Digital amputation; Digital replantation; Hand biomechanics; Mutilating hand trauma.