Finger dislocation- البروفيسور فريح ابوحسان – استشاري جراحة العظام في الاردن

International Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 1994;4: 80

Complete volar dislocation of theproximal interphalangeat joint of thenftle finger

F O HASSAN

Summary

A complete volar dislocation of the proximal inter-phalangeal (PIP) joint of a little finger occurred in a 52-year-old man and was successfully treated by closedreduction and a dynamic PIP extension splint.

Case report

A 52-year-old male stumbled while descending stairs andfell down on his left hand.

Examination revealed flexion of the PlPjoint and extensionof the distal interphalangeal joint of the left little finger, withno radial or ulnar deviation of the finger. There was no activemovement of the finger, nor neurovascular deficit; an X-rayshowed complete dislocation of the PIP joint (Figure 1).

Reduction was performed under entonox by traction and

extension. The collateral ligaments were stable afterreduction, but the joint was unstable in flexion of the finger.

A dynamic PIP extension splint with metacarpophalangealjoint support was applied for six weeks, then a night splintfor four weeks. Regular follow-up for 14 months showed fullrange of movement of the finger, no ligamentous laxity, norany residual deformity.

Discussion

Volar dislocation of the PlPjoint is a very rare injury comparedto the dorsal dislocation. Only L2 cases of this type havebeen described in the literature,r-s and all were irreducibledue to soft tissue interposition or osteochondral fragment.All of the reported cases necessitated open reduction.

The mechanism of the injury in our case was hyperflexionforce to the middle phalanx, although Spinner and Choifound that a varus or valgus force was necessary to cause theinjury.s

Figure L Complete volar dislocation of the PIP joint ofthe little finger.

There was no mention in the literature about the reduciblevolar dislocation of the PIP, apart from the higher incidenceof the rupture of the extensor mechanism which needed to berepaired, but this case showed that conservative treatmentmay have a role.

References1. Johnson FG, Greene MH. Another cause of irreducible

dislocation of the PIPJ of a finger. J Bone Joint Surg (Am)1966; 482 542-4.

2. Inoue G, Maeda N. Irreducible palmar dislocation of the PIPjoint of the finger. Report 3 cases. J Hand Surg 1990; 15A:301-4,

3. Murakami Y. Ireducible volar dislocation of the PIP joint ofthe finger. Hand 1974; 6: 87-90.

4. Martin AP, Michael W. Irreducible volar dislocation of thePIPJ of a finger caused by interposition of an intact centralslip. J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 1978; 60: 133-4.

5. Spinner M, Choi BY. Anterior dislocation of the PIPJ. J Bone

Joint Surg (Am) 1970; 52: 1329-36.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Jordan, Amman, JordanMr FO Hassan FRCS (Ene)

Correspondence to: Mr FO Hassan FRCS (Eng), Orthopaedic Registrar, Robert Jonesand Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire SYl0 7AG, UK.

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