A case of phalangeal lengthening.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Pediatric bone infections

Background:

• Osteomyelitis of the middle phalanx can lead to severe finger shortening and deformity.
• Reconstructive surgery is often necessary to restore function and length.

Observation:

• A 12-year-old boy presented with a severely shortened and deformed index finger due to osteomyelitis.
• The condition affected the middle phalanx, impacting finger length and function.

Findings:

• A Kessler distraction device was used to lengthen the affected index finger.
• Distraction for two weeks, followed by a 15-mm bone graft, successfully restored finger length.
• The procedure resulted in a stable, painless index finger of normal length.

Implications:

• This technique offers a viable solution for correcting finger deformities caused by osteomyelitis in pediatric patients.
• Limb lengthening and bone grafting can effectively restore function and aesthetics in pediatric hand injuries.
• Further research could explore long-term outcomes and optimal graft materials for such cases.