[Acute closed injuries of the digital proximal interphalangeal joints]

Acute closed injuries of the digital proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints are frequent and can leave sequelae because of imprecise diagnosis of the lesions, poorly adapted treatment, or insufficient follow-up. The therapeutic options proposed in this presentation are advocated by all of the participants and are based on their personal experience and evidence reported in the literature. After a brief anatomic review necessary for the understanding of PIP joint pathophysiology we have presented the longterm outcomes of PIP joint injuries, which are central to the therapeutic decision-making process in terms of risk benefit ratio. To facilitate the presentation, we have separated lesions "with" and "without" fracture. A specific chapter is devoted to surgical approaches essential for successful management of these injuries and another to particular problems related to the seldom reviewed topic of traumatic injury of the PIP joint during bone growth.