Flexor Tendon Entrapment at the Malunited Base Fracture of the Proximal Phalanx of the Finger in Child : A Case Report

Lee,  Young Keun; Nam,  Hyun Jae; Ahn,  Hee Chan; Cheon,  Ho Jun; Woo,  Sang Hyun

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2009;14(2):89-91.
Published online June 1, 2009.

Young Keun Lee, Hyun Jae Nam, Hee Chan Ahn, Ho Jun Cheon, Sang Hyun Woo

¹Department of Woo & Lee's Institute for Hand Surgery & Reconstructive Microsurgery, W Hospital, Daegu, Korea. handwoo@hotmail.com
²Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.

Abstract

The proximal phalangeal base is the most commonly fractured hand bone in children. Such fractures are rarely reported to be irreducible as a consequence of flexor tendon entrapment. A 12-year-old male sustained a malunited base fracture of the proximal phalanx of the small finger on the right hand and was unable to flex the finger. 6 weeks ago he was treated with closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation, at another hospital. In a subsequent operation, it was found that the flexor tendon was entrapped at the fracture site. Flexor tenolysis and realignment of the fracture and internal fixation with K-wires were performed. The patient could perform his work without discomfort in his hand and a normal range of motion was possible in the small finger 12 months after the operation.