We retrospectively compared the results of volar plating and dynamic external fixation for acute unstable dorsal fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint with a depressed fragment. We treated 31 patients (31 fingers), 12 with volar buttress plating and 19 with dynamic external fixation. Follow-up averaged 35 and 40 months in the two groups, with a minimal 6-month follow-up. Average active flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint was 95° after plate fixation and 87° after external fixation, with an active extension lag of –6° and –9°, respectively. Active flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint averaged 67° in the plate group and 58° in the external fixation group, with active extension lags of 0° and –5°, respectively. We conclude that both methods can obtain a good range of motion at the proximal interphalangeal joint. A limitation of the extension of the distal interphalangeal joint occurred with dynamic external fixation but not with volar buttress plating.
AfendrasGAbramoAMrkonjicAGeijerMKopylovPTägilM. Hemi-hamate osteochondral transplantation in proximal interphalangeal dorsal fracture dislocations: a minimum 4 year follow-up in eight patients. J Hand Surg Eur. 2010, 35: 627–31.
2.
AladinADavisTRC. Dorsal fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint: a comparative study of percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation versus open reduction and internal fixation. J Hand Surg Am. 2005, 30: 120–8.
3.
BadiaARianoFRavikoffJKhouriRGonzalez-HernandezEOrbayJL. Dynamic intradigital external fixation for proximal interphalangeal joint fracture dislocations. J Hand Surg Am. 2005, 30: 154–60.
4.
CalfeeRPKiefhaberTRSommerkampTGSternPJ. Hemi-hamate arthroplasty provides functional reconstruction of acute and chronic proximal interphalangeal fracture-dislocations. J Hand Surg Am. 2009, 34: 1232–41.
5.
CheahAEJTanDMKChongAKSChewWYC. Volar plating for unstable proximal interphalangeal joint dorsal fracture-dislocations. J Hand Surg Am. 2012, 37: 28–33.
6.
DeitchMAKiefhaberTRComisarBRSternPJ. Dorsal fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint: surgical complications and long-term results. J Hand Surg Am. 1999, 24: 914–23.
7.
DionysianEEatonRG. The long-term outcome of volar plate arthroplasty of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Am. 2000, 25: 429–37.
8.
Durham-SmithGMG. Volar plate arthroplasty for closed proximal interphalangeal joint injuries. J Hand Surg Br. 1992, 17: 422–8.
9.
EllisSJChengRProkopisP. Treatment of proximal interphalangeal dorsal fracture-dislocation injuries with dynamic external fixation: a pins and rubber band system. J Hand Surg Am. 2007, 32: 1242–50.
10.
FedererAEGuerreroEMDekkerTJ, et al.Open reduction internal fixation with transverse volar plating for unstable proximal interphalangeal fracture-dislocation: the seatbelt procedure. Hand. 2018, 15: 201–7.
11.
GrantIBergerACThamSKY. Internal fixation of unstable fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Am. 2005, 30: 492–8.
12.
HamiltonSCSternPJFasslerPRKiefhaberTR. Mini-screw fixation for the treatment of proximal interphalangeal joint dorsal fracture-dislocations. J Hand Surg Am. 2006, 31: 1349–54.
13.
IkedaMKobayashiYSaitoIIshiiTShimizuAOkaY. Open reduction and internal fixation for dorsal fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint using a miniplate. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2011, 15: 219–24.
14.
Kiefhaber TR, Stern PJ. Fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Am. 1998; 23: 368–80.
15.
LeeJYLTeohLC. Dorsal fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint treated by open reduction and interfragmentary screw fixation: indications, approaches and results. J Hand Surg Am. 2006, 31: 138–46.
16.
LiodakiEXingSGMailaenderPStangF. Management of difficult intra-articular fractures or fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Eur. 2015, 40: 16–23.
17.
MorganJPGordonDAKlugMSPerryPEBarrePS. Dynamic digital traction for unstable comminuted intra-articular fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Am. 1995, 20: 565–73.
18.
NewingtonDPDavisTRCBartonNJ. The treatment of dorsal fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint by closed reduction and Kirschner wire fixation: a 16-year follow up. J Hand Surg Br. 2001, 26: 537–40.
19.
RulandRTHoganCJCannonDLSladeJF. Use of dynamic distraction external fixation for unstable fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Am. 2008, 33: 19–25.
20.
SuzukiYMatsunagaTSatoSYokoiT. The pins and rubbers traction system for treatment of comminuted intra-articular fractures and fracture-dislocations in the hand. J Hand Surg Br. 1994, 19: 98–107.
21.
SuzukiMKurimotoSShinoharaTTatebeMImaedaTHirataH. Development and validation of an illustrated questionnaire to evaluate disabilities of the upper limb. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2010, 92: 963–9.
22.
TangJBTonkinMBoeckstynsMHooperG. The minimum length of follow-up in hand surgery reports. J Hand Surg Eur. 2019, 44: 330–1.
23.
TangJBGiddinsG. Why and how to report surgeons’ levels of expertise. J Hand Surg Eur. 2016, 41: 365–6.
24.
VitaleMAWhiteNJStrauchRJ. A percutaneous technique to treat unstable dorsal fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Am. 2011, 36: 1453–9.
25.
WatanabeK. Volar buttress plating for dorsal fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint with a central depressed fragment: a preliminary report of 12 cases. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2019, 1: 101–4.
26.
WilliamsRMKiefhaberTRSommerkampTGSternPJ. Treatment of unstable dorsal proximal interphalangeal fracture/dislocations using a hemi-hamate autograft. J Hand Surg Am. 2003, 28: 856–65.
