What is a phalanges fracture?

Phalanx fractures can be intra or extra-articular and can occur at the base, neck, shaft or head of the phalanx. They often result from direct trauma to the finger (e.g. during ball sports). Crush injuries to the distal phalanx are also common and can result in nail trauma and open fractures.

How do fractures of the phalanges usually occur?

Phalangeal fractures of the hand are usually the result of a direct trauma, crush or twisting injury. The fracture will cause severe pain and swelling in the finger. Usually you will see a doctor or specialist nurse in A&E who will examine you and arrange an X-ray if they suspect you have broken a bone.

What joint is between the metacarpals and phalanges?

metacarpo-phalangeal joints
The joints between the metacarpals and the proximal phalanges are the metacarpo-phalangeal joints. The joints between the phalanges are the interphalangeal joints – proximal and distal. We’ll often refer to these joints as CMC joints, MP joints, and IP joints, for short.

What are metacarpals phalanges?

metacarpal: Any of the bones of the palm. carpal: Any of the eight bones of the wrist. phalange: One of the bones of the digits.

Is the finger a hinge joint?

Hinge joints, such as in the fingers, knees, elbows, and toes, allow only bending and straightening movements. Pivot joints. Pivot joints, such as the neck joints, allow limited rotating movements.

What type of joint is between the phalanges?

hinge joints
The interphalangeal joints of the hand are the hinge joints between the phalanges of the fingers that provide flexion towards the palm of the hand.

What is the main function of metacarpals?

In humans the five metacarpals are flat at the back of the hand and bowed on the palmar side; they form a longitudinal arch that accommodates the muscles, tendons, and nerves of the palm. The metacarpals also form a transverse arch that allows the fingertips and thumb to be brought together for manipulation.

How many patients have fractures of the phalanges?

A total of 69 fractures (48 metacarpal and 21 phalangeal) were identified in 59 patients. Seventeen were open fractures. Eleven patients had multiple fractures (29 in total); of those, 21 were managed with CHS. In 4 other fractures the method was abandoned intraoperatively.

What are the features of phalangeal and metacarpal fractures?

Features used to classify phalangeal and metacarpal fractures include location, fracture configuration, soft tissue integrity, and inherent stability ( Table 40.2 ). These tubular bones are divided into base, shaft, neck, and articular heads ( Fig. 40.1 ).

How big is a screw hole in a phalange?

A comminuted basilar phalangeal fracture displaced secondarily yielding a poor functional result. Two patients required tenolysis and further procedures before the final result was achieved. The screw hole represents around 20% of the proximal phalanx distal articular surface.

How are fractures of the metacarpals of the head treated?

Open fractures of a metacarpal head secondary to a clenched fist injury should be presumed to have oral contamination and are treated by formal irrigation and débridement. The wound is generally left open, and internal fixation, if necessary, is delayed until the wound shows no sign of infection.