Functional brace in the treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the proximal phalanges of the last four fingers.

The authors describe a system of functional brace for the treatment of displaced fractures of the proximal phalanx of the fingers. Using four digit syndactylization this technique allows simultaneous stabilisation of the fracture and early active mobilization of the proximal interphalangeal joint, where stiffness is known as the principal impairment after such fractures. Among 14 cases treated by this method, fracture healing has been obtained in all cases with only one significant malunion. No severe stiffness has been observed and active motion at the PIP joint has been in a useful sector of 25 degrees and 75 degrees at least in all cases.