Mini hook plate fixation for palmar fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint

Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint are challenging to treat, since it is difficult to achieve both rigid fixation and early joint motion simultaneously. Palmar fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint are less frequent injuries and a small number of treatment methods have been reported. We describe here a patient with a chronic palmar fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint, who was treated with a new surgical technique. In the surgery, a mini hook plate that was made by adapting a 1.5 mm AO hand modular system straight plate was used. Despite the thinness of the fragment, rigid fixation was achieved, resulting in early active motion. At final follow up, the active ranges of motion were 0°-100° at the proximal and 0°-80° at the distal interphalangeal joint, and there were no complications. This technique may become a useful surgical method to treat palmar fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.