Clinical results of tension band fixation of avulsion fractures of the hand

Abstract

We report 100 cases in which a tension-band technique was used to secure fixation of avulsion fractures within the digits. Included are 51 bony mallet fractures that were subluxed or irreducible, 38 displaced bony gamekeeper's fractures of the thumb, 8 fractures of the lateral phalangeal base, and 3 avulsion fractures that involved the base of the dorsal aspect of the middle phalanx. We evaluated results on the basis of clinical and x-ray film criteria. Excellent or satisfactory results were found in all 38 bony gamekeeper's injuries. All but one gamekeeper's fracture healed; the one nonunion was asymptomatic. All eight patients with lateral avulsion fractures had an excellent or satisfactory result on clinical examination. Seven of the eight had an excellent result on x-ray film evaluation; the one malnuion was asymptomatic. Two of the three fractures with dorsal avulsions of the base of the middle phalanx had a satisfactory result on clinical and x-ray film examination; the one poor result was due to the severity of the comminution of the fracture. However, 21 of the 51 bony mallet injuries had a poor result both clinically and radiographically. We noted numerous postoperative complications including dorsal skin breakdown, superficial and deep infection, and secondary displacement of the fragment. Tension-band fixation is an excellent method for treating various avulsion fractures of the hand such as bony gamekeeper's thumb, lateral avlusion injuries, and dorsal avulsions of the middle phalanx. However, the treatment of bony mallet fingers with tension band fixation is less predictable and should be used with caution.