Percutaneous reduction and fixation of displaced phalangeal neck fractures in children.

BACKGROUND

Several methods have been reported for fixation of displaced phalangeal neck fractures in children. The purpose of this study is to present a technique for the closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of displaced phalangeal neck fractures and the clinical results of 4 patients treated by this method.

METHODS

Four consecutive patients with displaced phalangeal neck fractures were treated with closed reduction and single intramedullary Kirschner wire placed percutaneously with a novel technique.

RESULTS

The average age at injury was 5 years 9 months (range, 23 mo to 10 y). Three patients were male and 1 was female. Two patients had fractures of the proximal phalangeal neck, whereas the other 2 had fractures of the middle phalangeal neck. After an average follow-up of 18 weeks, all patients had nearly full pain-free flexion and extension of the affected digit.

CONCLUSIONS

The described technique is a simple, reproducible and effective treatment for displaced phalangeal neck fractures in children.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Therapeutic study, case series.