Closed digital artery injury

Closed digital artery injury with secondary acute ischemia is a rare phenomenon. The most common injury pattern involves a crush mechanism with a resultant transverse fracture in proximity to the interphalangeal joints. Secondary acute ischemia requires urgent surgical exploration with digital arterial repair to avoid necrosis and associated decreased hand function. One should exercise an air of caution when examining significant closed trauma; neurovascular normality should be established by an adequately trained physician. We present a case of closed digital artery injury with secondary acute ischemia and a review of current literature.