Percutaneous internal fixation for mallet finger injuries. Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The movement of the fingers is given by a complex mechanism that combines both extension and flexion. The alteration of the extensor mechanism at distal interphalangeal joint of the finger is known as mallet finger. Mallet finger can be managed either surgically or not surgically with external splints.
Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive observational study was performed including patients diagnosed with mallet finger injury between June 2017 and January 2018 surgically treated with percutaneous internal fixation surgical technique using a transosseous pin.
Results: A total of 48 patients were included, 81.25% of the cases were men, between 31 and 55 years old, the vast majority right-handed, with a higher frequency of injury to the right hand. 41.67% of cases involved the second finger, followed by the third finger (39.58%), secondary to a blunt trauma. Additionally, complications were reported in 2 patients (4.16%).
Discussion: Mallet finger is an injury mostly secondary to a blunt trauma, predominantly in men and of the dominant hand, which can receive conservative management from the use of a stack-type or surgical splint. The results reported in the present study follow the data described in the international literature, additionally finding the presentation of multiple comorbidities and the incidence of injury in young populations being rare. The population treated presents demographic and injury-related characteristics similar to those reported in the international literature.
Evidence level: III.