Asploro Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Case Reports

Asploro Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Case Reports

Hara A^1*
1Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan

Corresponding Author: Akira Hara ^{ORCID ID}
Address: Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
Received date: 28 December 2019; Accepted date: 11 January 2020; Published date: 18 January 2020

Citation: Hara A. Conservative Treatment of Chronic Mallet Fracture Non-union after Failed Pin Fixation. Asp Biomed Clin Case Rep. 2020 Jan 18;3(1):25-28.

Copyright © 2020 Hara A. This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords: Bony Mallet, Non-Union, Conservative Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Operative treatment of mallet finger fractures is generally recommended for patients in whom more than one-third of the articular surface is involved with volar subluxation. We present a case of conservative treatment with chronic nonunion of a mallet finger fracture after failed mallet finger surgery.
Presentation of Case: A 16-year-old boy presented with a bony fragment (mallet formation) of his left long finger. The fragment occupied 40% of the articular surface, with volar subluxation of the distal phalanx. Percutaneous needle curettage of the fracture site and pinning were performed. Six weeks later, the fragment was displaced and had rotated. Hence, all the pins were removed, and a splint was applied. The fracture displayed nonunion and volar subluxation of the distal phalanx. The patient continued with the splinting, and the fracture finally healed. At 27 months after the surgery, radiological examination showed very good remodeling of the distal interphalangeal joint surface with anatomic joint congruence. Functional results at 27 months were good according to Crawford’s classification.
Conclusion: Chronic nonunion of a mallet finger can be cured conservatively even when a fracture gap is seen along with displacement of the fragment and volar subluxation of the distal phalanx.