Recent publications discussing fractures of the shafts of the phalanges of the fingers discount their management by traction because of possible complications and difficulties of application. A technique using splintage combined with isometric skin traction, used for many years in Southampton, has proved effective and free of complications. The results of the treatment of eighteen consecutive appropriate fractures using this technique are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BARTON, NJ (1979). Fractures of the Shafts of the Phalanges of the Hand. The Hand, 11, 119-133.
2.
BORGESKOV, S (1967). Conservative Therapy for Fractures of the Phalanges and Metacarpals. Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica, 133, 123-130.
3.
CHARNLEY, J (1961). The Closed Treatment of Common Fractures, 3rd Edition (p. 152). Edinburgh and London: E. & S. Livingstone.
4.
MOBERG, E (1950). The Use of Traction Treatment for Fractures of Phalanges and Metacarpals. Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica, 99, 341-352.
5.
SCHULZE, HA (1947). An Improved Skin-Traction Technique For The Fingers. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 29, 222-224.
6.
WAINWRIGHT, D (1964). Fractures of the Metacarpals and Phalanges. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 57, 598-599.
