Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the V-shaped bone tunnel technique at the base of the distal phalanx for treating tendinous mallet finger.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients with tendinous mallet finger treated in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery at Linyi People’s Hospital between August 2022 and November 2023. Two oblique bone tunnels were created in a V-shaped configuration at the dorsal base of the distal phalanx, adjacent to the extensor tendon insertion, using a 0.8 mm Kirschner wire. A 4-0 double-needle monofilament tendon suture was passed through the tunnels to secure the ruptured extensor tendon to the base of the distal phalanx, followed by fixation of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint with a 1.0 mm Kirschner wire. The Kirschner wire was removed at 4 weeks postoperatively to initiate functional exercises. Regular follow-up was conducted to monitor wound healing and functional recovery of the DIP joint. At the final follow-up, the range of flexion and extension of the DIP joint was measured, and treatment outcomes were evaluated using Crawford’s mallet finger evaluation criteria, which classified results into four grades: excellent, good, fair, and poor.Results:Fifteen patients (16 fingers) were included, comprising 11 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 44.5 years (range: 17-65 years). The injured fingers included 2 index, 4 middle, 5 ring, and 5 little fingers, all presenting with DIP joint flexion deformity and limited active extension. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 to 28 months (mean: 17 months). All wounds healed primarily without complications such as infection or skin necrosis, and no cases of tendon re-rupture occurred. At the final follow-up, the measurement results of flexion and extension range of motion of the affected fingers at the DIP joint were as follows: the maximum flexion angle of all 16 fingers was 45°, among which 7 fingers had an extension angle of 0°, 8 fingers had limited extension ranging from 1° to 10°, and 1 finger had limited extension of 15°. Among the 16 fingers, 7 fingers were rated as excellent, 8 fingers as good and 1 finger as fair.Conclusion:The V-shaped bone tunnel technique for tendon-to-bone reattachment of the extensor tendon insertion is a simple and effective method for treating tendinous mallet finger. It provides satisfactory functional recovery, improves finger appearance, and is associated with minimal complications.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the V-shaped bone tunnel technique at the base of the distal phalanx for treating tendinous mallet finger.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients with tendinous mallet finger treated in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery at Linyi People’s Hospital between August 2022 and November 2023. Two oblique bone tunnels were created in a V-shaped configuration at the dorsal base of the distal phalanx, adjacent to the extensor tendon insertion, using a 0.8 mm Kirschner wire. A 4-0 double-needle monofilament tendon suture was passed through the tunnels to secure the ruptured extensor tendon to the base of the distal phalanx, followed by fixation of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint with a 1.0 mm Kirschner wire. The Kirschner wire was removed at 4 weeks postoperatively to initiate functional exercises. Regular follow-up was conducted to monitor wound healing and functional recovery of the DIP joint. At the final follow-up, the range of flexion and extension of the DIP joint was measured, and treatment outcomes were evaluated using Crawford’s mallet finger evaluation criteria, which classified results into four grades: excellent, good, fair, and poor.Results:Fifteen patients (16 fingers) were included, comprising 11 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 44.5 years (range: 17-65 years). The injured fingers included 2 index, 4 middle, 5 ring, and 5 little fingers, all presenting with DIP joint flexion deformity and limited active extension. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 to 28 months (mean: 17 months). All wounds healed primarily without complications such as infection or skin necrosis, and no cases of tendon re-rupture occurred. At the final follow-up, the measurement results of flexion and extension range of motion of the affected fingers at the DIP joint were as follows: the maximum flexion angle of all 16 fingers was 45°, among which 7 fingers had an extension angle of 0°, 8 fingers had limited extension ranging from 1° to 10°, and 1 finger had limited extension of 15°. Among the 16 fingers, 7 fingers were rated as excellent, 8 fingers as good and 1 finger as fair.Conclusion:The V-shaped bone tunnel technique for tendon-to-bone reattachment of the extensor tendon insertion is a simple and effective method for treating tendinous mallet finger. It provides satisfactory functional recovery, improves finger appearance, and is associated with minimal complications.