Combined central slip and volar plate injuries at the PIP joint

PIP joint injuries are common. We describe an unusual injury in which an apparent volar plate avulsion injury was associated with a dorsal, central slip avulsion fracture. We postulate that the mechanism of injury would appear to have been forced flexion with the central slip being avulsed and the volar plate fracture occurring as a secondary impingement fracture. Our two cases were treated with full extension splinting with satisfactory results.