The Thompson procedure for chronic mallet finger deformity.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Chronic mallet finger deformity often presents with distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint extensor lag.
• Associated swan neck deformity can complicate treatment and functional outcomes.
• Salvage procedures are necessary for cases with failed prior treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of the Thompson procedure for chronic mallet finger deformity.
• To assess the efficacy of the Thompson procedure in correcting swan neck deformities.
• To review the overall utility of the Thompson procedure in complex hand injuries.

Main Methods:

• Seven patients with chronic mallet finger and swan neck deformity underwent the Thompson procedure.
• Range of motion (ROM) of the DIP and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints was measured.
• Complications were assessed, and patient outcomes were evaluated using the Abouna and Brown criteria.

Main Results:

• The Thompson procedure successfully corrected swan neck deformities in all seven cases.
• Average DIP joint extensor lag improved significantly.
• At final examination, patients showed good PIP and DIP joint ROM, with 6 of 7 categorized as cured and 1 as improved.

Conclusions:

• The Thompson procedure is a predictable and effective salvage technique for chronic mallet finger with associated swan neck deformity.
• It reliably restores DIP joint extension and corrects PIP joint hyperextension.
• This surgical approach offers a valuable option for complex mallet finger injuries following treatment failure.