eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Hand

Hand, Phalangeal Fracture and Dislocations: Follow-up

Author: Brian J Divelbiss, MD, Attending Staff, Dickson-Diveley Midwest Orthopedic Clinic, Inc, and Kansas City Orthopedic Institute; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Coauthor(s): Mark E Baratz, MD, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Drexel University College of Medicine; Residency Director, Department of Orthopaedics, Allegheny General Hospital; Consulting Staff, Allegheny Orthopaedic Associates
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 28, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

Outcome following phalangeal fractures depends on patient and injury factors as well as surgical expertise. Poorer results have been documented in patients older than 50 years and in those with associated systemic illness. High-energy fractures with comminution and soft tissue injury also lead to worse outcomes.10 Tendon injury, especially extensor tendon, in association with fracture compromises results. Factors that the surgeon can control include selection of the appropriate fixation and assurance that immobilization does not exceed 3 weeks.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Breaks, Fractures, and Dislocations Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Broken Finger and Broken Hand.

 


More on Hand, Phalangeal Fracture and Dislocations

Overview: Hand, Phalangeal Fracture and Dislocations
Workup: Hand, Phalangeal Fracture and Dislocations
Treatment: Hand, Phalangeal Fracture and Dislocations
Follow-up: Hand, Phalangeal Fracture and Dislocations
Multimedia: Hand, Phalangeal Fracture and Dislocations
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

phalangeal injuries, phalangeal fractures, phalangeal dislocation, proximal interphalangeal joint, PIPJ, finger injuries, finger fracture, broken finger, dislocated finger, jammed finger, finger dislocation, PIP joint, PIP, axial blow, crush injury, crushed finger

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Brian J Divelbiss, MD, Attending Staff, Dickson-Diveley Midwest Orthopedic Clinic, Inc, and Kansas City Orthopedic Institute; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Brian J Divelbiss, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Mark E Baratz, MD, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Drexel University College of Medicine; Residency Director, Department of Orthopaedics, Allegheny General Hospital; Consulting Staff, Allegheny Orthopaedic Associates
Mark E Baratz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Allegheny County Medical Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Orthopaedic Research Society, and Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Milton B Armstrong, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedics, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Milton B Armstrong, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Hand Surgery, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and National Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

David W Chang, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Subhas Gupta, MD, PhD, CM, FRCS(C), FACS, Professor of Surgery, Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery, Director of Plastic Surgery Residency, Director of Comprehensive Wound Service, Department of Plastic Surgery, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Subhas Gupta, MD, PhD, CM, FRCS(C), FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Phlebology, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Plastic Surgery Research Council, Quebec Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Wound Healing Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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