Conservative and operative treatment of mallet finger

One-hundred and thirty-five patients with mallet finger were treated and followed up at least 1 year after injury. Ninety-two patients with tendon rupture or chip fracture were treated by splinting, and 42 percent of them had a decreased range of motion, mostly of a minor degree, but only 18 percent stated complaints at the follow-up examination. The results of treatment in 43 patients with fracture were evaluated separately. In this group, 26 patients were operated on and the postoperative results were excellent in 58 percent, improved in 36 percent, and 8 percent ended with failure due to complications. Radiographic study showed bony union in 41 of 43 patients and resorption of the small fragment in 2 patients. The indications for conservative and operative treatment in the five different types of mallet finger are discussed.     

Lateral-volar finger flap for the treatment of burn syndactyly.

To completely open the web space in burn syndactyly and provide tissue that is pliable and elastic, we describe a flap from the lateral and volar surfaces of an adjacent finger which will completely cover the opened defect. The results of this procedure in 24 web spaces are reported.     

Fowler central slip tenotomy for old mallet deformity

Fowler's central slip tenotomy for old mallet deformity is a well-known, but apparently seldom used procedure. Although the vast majority of patients with mallet finger can be successfully treated by well-known conservative techniques, occasional patients, such as the 11 reported here, will have enough difficulty with a chronic mallet finger to warrant rebalancing of the extensor apparatus by means of central slip tenotomy.