Acute Compound Irreducible Dorsal Dislocation of the Thumb IP Joint: A Case Report

Dislocations of the thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint are rare injuries because of the stability of the collateral ligaments, volar plate, and surrounding tendons, with open and irreducible cases being especially uncommon.

We present a case of a 49-year-old male who suffered an open injury to his left thumb in a road traffic accident, resulting in an IP joint dislocation and exposed proximal phalanx bone. Emergency wound debridement and reduction were carried out, but the reduction was obstructed by the flexor pollicis longus tendon encircling the proximal phalanx bone. Following tendon repositioning, reduction was successfully achieved and maintained using a 1.2 mm Kirschner wire. The K-wire was removed at 4 weeks, and by the 3-month follow-up, the patient had achieved satisfactory clinical and functional recovery.

This case underscores the significance of identifying soft tissue interference as a cause of irreducibility and highlights the critical role of early surgical intervention and stabilization in securing favorable outcomes.