"The fragment may be pinned with a Kirschner wire (either percutaneously or following open reduction) or indirectly reduced by "door stop" technique with the DIP joint flexed and a stabilising Kirschner wire placed through the middle phalanx 7. Post-operative complications, e.g. infection or need for further surgery, are common. The alternative is for fixation with a screw or hook plate if the fragment size will accommodate."
"Seymour fracture"
Expected headings
"Complications"
"It is characterised by an inability to extend the finger at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. There is slight flexion at this joint, which is where the term "mallet" comes from - the finger position resembles a mallet (for example, a piano key mallet)."
"The preferred treatment for closed mallet injuries is non operative treatment, using a splint to maintain the DIP joint in extension or slight hyperextension; the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is kept mobile. This positioning causes approximation of the injured tendon ends, which usually heals by scarring over time and restores extension 7. Non-operative treatment would usually involve 6 weeks of full time splinting followed by 6 weeks of night splinting 8. It is also important to note that the DIP joint should be kept in full extension for the entire first 6 week period including times of hygiene."