Abstract
Anatomic position, stability, and early motion are the key principles for achieving
good results with all types of intra-articular condylar fractures of the proximal
phalanx. When stabilization is necessary, soft tissue trauma should be minimized to
lessen the risk of scar formation and consequent stiffness at the proximal interphalangeal
joint. Oblique unicondylar fractures treated with 2-point (or more) Kirschner wire
or 1 (or more) mini-screw fixation(s) have the best results. This is also true of
bicondylar fractures, although mini-condylar plate fixation may achieve equally good
results in bicondylar fractures with large condylar fragments. Screw fixation is recommended
for triplane fractures. Although loss of reduction, delayed treatment, nonunion, deformity,
or arthritis may complicate these injuries, stiffness is the most frequent and serious
complication. Infection is rare. Copyright © 2001 by the American Society for Surgery
of the Hand
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References
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Article info
Publication history
1531-0914/01/0101-0002$35.00/0
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.