Treatment of an Extruded Middle Phalanx Epiphysis in a 6-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report
Jonathon Lentz1, Laura Klingbeil2, Neal Hochwald3
1The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
Case:
A Salter-Harris II fracture of the small finger middle phalanx with complete extrusion of the epiphyseal fragment in a 6-year-old boy is described. Closed reduction was unsuccessful. Open reduction was performed, the epiphysis was reduced, and a single Kirschner wire was placed obliquely across the fracture and joint.
Conclusion:
This is an extremely rare injury. Open reduction and pinning was successful in preserving functional range of motion. Despite eventual growth arrest, there was no clinically significant angular deformity, and the joint was preserved. Surgical technique and early hand therapy allowed the patient to return to high-level activity without pain or functional limitation thus far at the 27-month follow-up.
