Treatment of Pseudarthrosis of the Distal Phalanx with a Compression Screw

Abstract

Five cases of painful diaphyseal pseudarthrosis of the distal phalanx were treated with a longitudinal compression AO mini screw, without bone graft, and all healed uneventfully in 3 to 4 months.

A Comparison of K-Wire Versus Screw Fixation on the Outcomes of Distal Phalanx Fractures

“…22 We do not think that it is necessary to use interfragmentary/lag screw fixation or to use a cancellous screw as reported by other authors. 19,21 The high union rates in our study support this opinion. In addition, lag screw requires overdrilling of the cortex and creates an additional step to the procedure.…”

Treatment of nonunions of the distal phalanx with olecranon bone graft

“…There are limited reports on the treatment of nonunions in the distal phalanx (Botelheiro, 1995; Carozzi, 1983; Del Pinal et al, 2006; Itoh et al, 1983; Read, 1982; Richards et al, 1988; Voche et al, 1995). Most of these studies are single case reports.…”

“…Jupiter et al (1985) amputated two of three distal phalangeal nonunions. Vascularised bone blocks from the toe have been used for infected nonunions (Del Pinal et al, 2006) and compression screws alone have also been used in the treatment of distal phalangeal nonunions (Botelheiro, 1995; Richards et al, 1988).…”

Symptomatic Nonunion of a Distal Phalanx Fracture: Treatment With a Percutaneous Compression Screw

“…Various surgical techniques for the treatment of such nonunions have been described in textbooks or very small case series. [1][2][3][4][5][6] They all have an open surgical exposure of the nonunion in common. We question whether such an open exposure is necessary if the general principles of nonunion treatment are followed.…”