A modified tension band wiring technique for treatment of the bony mallet finger.

PURPOSE To report the outcomes of mallet fractures treated with our modified tension band wiring technique. METHODS Eleven men and two women (mean age; 33 years) with mallet fractures in which happened more than five weeks before surgery, or with fracture fragments involving more than 2/3 or less than 1/3 of the distal phalanx articular surface or with previous surgical intervention, were subjected to this study. The fracture fragment was fixed with a modified tension band wiring technique using a stainless steel wire and an injection needle. RESULTS All patients achieved bone union in nine weeks in average. All patients had no pain except one with mild pain. No patient showed a gap or step-off greater than 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS Our tension band wiring technique can be used regardless of the size of the dorsal fracture fragment or the interval between injury and surgery.

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