Biomaterial Database

Troublesome shaft fractures of the proximal phalanx. Early treatment to avoid late problems at the metacarpophalangeal and proximal phalangeal joints. 1988

G L Woods

Dartmouth Medical Center, Hanover, New Hampshire.

Although any fracture of the proximal phalanx can potentially disrupt finger MCP and/or PIP motion, appropriate consideration based on sound principles of biomechanics and biology of healing will delineate the options available. Applying the risk/benefit associated with any particular mode of treatment is more challenging. Perhaps the most difficult thing is to anticipate and recognize failure of a treatment mode sufficiently early and then to act concisely to rectify the situation. The physician and patient must recognize what goal is realistic for each patient's injury. This encompasses the patient factors as outlined, as well as a clear awareness in the surgeon's mind of his or her technical limitations and expertise. Final function and range of motion of the MCP and PIP joints will depend not only on bony union in good position, but on restoration of the gliding function of the flexor and extensor tendons that are contiguous to the fracture site.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D008297	Male		Males
D008662	Metacarpophalangeal Joint	The articulation between a metacarpal bone and a phalanx.	Joint, Metacarpophalangeal,Joints, Metacarpophalangeal,Metacarpophalangeal Joints
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010353	Patient Education as Topic	The teaching or training of patients concerning their own health needs.	Education of Patients,Education, Patient,Patient Education
D011859	Radiography	Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film).	Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D001864	Bone Wires	Steel wires, often threaded through the skin, soft tissues, and bone, used to fix broken bones. Kirschner wires or apparatus also includes the application of traction to the healing bones through the wires.	Kirschner Wire,Kirschner Wires,Bone Wire,Wire, Bone,Wire, Kirschner,Wires, Bone,Wires, Kirschner
D002370	Casts, Surgical	Dressings made of fiberglass, plastic, or bandage impregnated with plaster of paris used for immobilization of various parts of the body in cases of fractures, dislocations, and infected wounds. In comparison with plaster casts, casts made of fiberglass or plastic are lightweight, radiolucent, able to withstand moisture, and less rigid.	Fiberglass Casts,Plaster Casts,Plastic Casts,Cast, Surgical,Surgical Cast,Surgical Casts,Cast, Fiberglass,Cast, Plaster,Cast, Plastic,Casts, Fiberglass,Casts, Plaster,Casts, Plastic,Fiberglass Cast,Plaster Cast,Plastic Cast
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children