BACKGROUND: Proximal phalangeal fractures are common fractures of the hand. The fractures are difficult to treat because of vicinity of two important joints and crossing long tendons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nail traction technique in the management of proximal phalangeal fractures of the hand. METHODS: Patients (n=43) with proximal phalangeal fractures were treated by nail traction and evaluated prospectively. We assessed all the patients at the time of presentation and then followed a standard protocol for recruiting patients. After application of nail traction, the patients were initially assessed at 12th day. The outcome measures included post reduction radiographic evaluation and total active motion (TAM) in finger at the final follow-up appointment. All the patients were followed for one year. RESULTS: The post-reduction X-ray evaluation showed good reduction in 33 cases, fair reduction in 8 and poor reduction in 2 cases. At final assessment, 35 patients had good TAM score, six had fair and two had poor TAM score. Complications were noted in two patients and these included pressure necrosis in palm and stiffness in proximal interphalangeal joint. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study show that with careful selection of patients, nail traction seems to be simple, safe and effective technique for managing proximal phalangeal fractures.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Finger Phalanges/*injuries/radiography/*surgery ; Fractures, Bone/radiography/*surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nails/*surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular/physiology ; Splints ; Traction/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The delta reverse shoulder replacement system was developed for the treatment of rotator cuff arthropathy so that the deltoid can substitute for the deficient rotator cuff. To evaluate the results of delta reverse shoulder replacement for functional improvement and complications in a consecutive series by a single surgeon over a period of six years with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. METHODS: The data were collected retrospectively from electronic theatre records. Over a period of 6 years (2006-2012), 46 cases that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were identified. There were 34 females and 12 males. The average age of patients was 76.2 years (range, 58 to 87 years). A single surgeon performed all procedures using the anterosuperior approach. The mean follow-up time was 49 months (range, 24 to 91 months). All cases had preoperative and postoperative Constant scores. We collected the data on indications, hospital stay, and change in the Constant score, complications, and reoperation rates. RESULTS: The main indication for surgery was rotator cuff arthropathy (52.2%), followed by massive rotator cuff tear (28.3%), osteoarthritis (8.7%), fractures (6.5%), and rheumatoid arthritis (4.3%). Also, 65.2% of the cases were referred by general practitioners, 26% of the cases were referred by other consultants, and 8.8% of the cases were already under the care of a shoulder surgeon. The average preoperative Constant score was 23.5 (range, 8 to 59). The average Constant score at the final follow-up was 56 (range, 22 to 83). On average, there was an improvement of 33 points in the Constant score. The improvement in the Constant score was significant (p < 0.001). We observed complications in four patients (8.6%). Three of four patients (6.5%) needed reoperation. The first complication was pulmonary embolism in the early postoperative period. The other complications included dissociation of the glenosphere from the metaglene, deltoid detachment, and stitch abscess. CONCLUSIONS: This is a single-surgeon, single-approach series of 46 cases with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. At this stage, the results are encouraging with no cases of loosening, dislocation, or nerve injury.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement/*adverse effects/*methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology ; Reoperation/statistics & numerical data ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Joint/*surgery ; Young Adult