Could the Quality of Reduction in Mallet Fractures Be Influenced by the Angle Formed between the Extension Block Pin...

Background: This study aimed to examine the correlation between the angle created by the block pin and the fracture line, and the adequacy of reduction in the lateral radiographs of patients with mallet fractures who underwent the extension block pin technique. Methods: The study comprised 31 patients with mallet fractures who had extension block pin treatment. Measurements were taken on the patients' postoperative radiographs to determine the angles between the fracture line and the block pin, as well as the joint gap and dorsal gap values. The measurements were conducted three times by three different researchers. The sufficient reduction group consisted of individuals whose total joint and dorsal gaps were equal to or less than 1 millimetre. Those with greater gaps were included in the insufficient reduction group. Statistical analysis was conducted using the mean values of the measurements obtained by the researchers. Results: The three researchers had a strong correlation in their measurements (ICC: 0.85, Pearson score: 0.001). Despite observing a lower angle in the sufficient reduction group (n = 12, mean angle = 10.8°) compared to the insufficient reduction group (n = 19, mean angle = 18.6°), no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It is possible to measure the angle between the fracture line and the block pin in a reliable and repeatable manner. We did not discover any statistically significant differences between the sufficient and insufficient reduction groups. Hence, we believe that it is worthwhile to evaluate our hypothesis in broader patient cohorts. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).