Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
Mallet finger - A modified technique using the finger nail as a fixation point for the temporary immobilization of
Peter Schwendinger1, Lukas Horling2, Werner Schmolz2
1Department for Trauma Surgery and Sports Traumatology, Academic Hospital Feldkirch, Carinagasse 47, 6800 Feldkirch, Austria.
Background:
The aim of the current biomechanical study was to investigate a newly developed surgical technique for mallet fingers. The new method is based on the Ishiguro method which requires a K-wire through the distal interphalangeal joint for temporary fixation. The new technique avoids the joint trans fixation using a specially designed finger nail holder. This method was compared to the established Ishiguro's technique.
Methods:
For biomechanical testing, 32 paired, fresh-frozen human fingers (Digit II-V) of 4 donors (ages 60 to 71 years) were used. The paired fingers were assigned to either the new method or Ishiguro's technique. The biomechanical testing consisted of a cyclic cantilever bending (2000 cycles, 1-7N) followed by a load to failure test. The groups were evaluated for plastic deformation, stiffness, change in stiffness during cyclic loading, subluxation and failure load by analysing force-deflect data and fluoroscopic images.
Findings:
The nail fixation group showed significantly higher failure loads and stiffness than the trans fixation group. The values of plastic deformation were significantly lower in the nail fixation group. No differences were found in the change of stiffness. No subluxation was found in both groups.
Interpretation:
In the current biomechanical study, nail fixation performed at least as good as Ishiguro's trans fixation technique. The results and ease of implementation indicate that the newly developed nail fixation technique might be a useful treatment method in daily clinical practice without the need of temporary joint trans-fixation avoiding possible associated problems. To establish this method, clinical trials will be necessary.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi...
01:05Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
01:16Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
01:03Structural Joints: Fibrous Joints
Suture
All the bones of the skull, except for the mandible, are joined to each other by a fibrous joint called a suture. The fibrous connective tissue found at a suture strongly unites the adjacent skull bones and thus helps to protect the brain and form the face. In...
01:17Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
01:26Joints
Structural joint classifications are based on the material that makes up the joint as well as whether or not the joint contains a space between the bones. Joints are structurally classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.
Fibrous Joints Are Immovable
The bones of a...