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This case report describes the rare occurrence of a flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) avulsion of the left little finger in association with a pathological fracture of an enchondroma. The enchondroma was treated by simple curettage without bone graft. The FDP tendon was re-attached to the distal phalanx using the pull-out technique with a non-absorbable polyethylene suture.

We recommend simple curettage without bone grafting in cases of enchondroma of the distal phalanx in which the bone defect is small.

Intraosseous epidermoid cyst of the finger phalanx is rare. We report a case of postoperative recurrent intraosseous epidermoid cyst of the distal phalanx of the ring finger. To prevent further recurrence while maintaining morphology and function, the distal half of the distal phalanx that included the epidermoid cyst was resected to completely remove the lesion. The distal phalanx was then reconstructed by grafting corticocancellous bone from the ilium and shaped into a distal phalanx. The operation was performed using a through-the-nail approach, temporarily removing the nail and placing a longitudinal incision in the nail bed to approach the phalanx. Postoperatively, bone fusion was achieved without recurrence and the shape of the distal phalanx was normal. Distal phalangeal hypertrophy and nail plate deformity also normalized and excellent results were obtained.

Digital finger amputation with soft tissue injury is a frequent accident in Reconstructive Surgery. Several techniques about reconstruction of digital finger amputation are described in literature. However replantation is difficult when large segments of the arteries are missing. This is especially true for distal finger phalanx amputations, where replantation is done in selected patients such as artists or musicians. In this article a microsurgical replantation techniques of a distal artery and proximal vein anastomosis is presented in a distal phalanx amputation, which successfully solved the problem of venous reflux without venous anastomosis.

Single clubbed finger is an extremely rare condition that may show the presence of an underlying neoplasm of the distal phalanx. We describe a case of clubbing in a young adult patient with an enchondroma of the ring finger distal phalanx. The patient had a history of antecedent trauma to the left ring finger, suggesting the diagnosis of intraosseous epidermoid cyst rather than enchondroma. The lesion was successfully treated by curettage and packing of the bony defect with a synthetic bone substitute. Histologically, the tumour consisted of small, uniform chondrocytes without cytologic atypia. At the seven months follow-up, the patient had no evidence of recurrence, with a nearly normal-looking finger. We suggest that enchondroma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of clubbing in a single digit.

Background: Fractures of the distal phalanx can result in bony non-union, resulting in acro-osteolysis and subsequent fingertip instability due to soft tissue dissociation from bone. Conventional methods of treating this involve osseous fixation, but do not address the laxity and lack of soft tissue stability with bone. Current techniques also do not address the management of such conditions if bony fragments are too small to reduce. We present a novel method that addresses both soft tissue and bony deformity in this condition.

Methods: A review of current techniques in the literature is provided as well as an in depth description of our technique using a representative case.

Results: Follow-up results and photographs are presented in this article. Functional assessment is also provided in the article as part of the follow-up.

Conclusions: This technique is applicable for cases where severe resorption of distal phalanx has occurred, leaving little or no purchase for bony fixation. Hence, the technique can not only be applied post traumatic acro-osteolysis, but also other conditions where secondary soft tissue lengthening occurs and fingertip instability is formed as a result.

Osteoid osteoma of the distal phalanx is very rare. We describe a case of osteoid osteoma of the distal phalanx of the ring finger with clubbed finger deformity that improved after tumour removal. A 50-year-old left-handed man presented with a history of right ring finger pain without any trauma. The distal phalanx of the ring finger had tender, redness, and a clubbed finger deformity. Plain radiography indicated a circular radiolucent area in the centre of the lesion. Computed tomography and gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging indicated presence of a nidus. The lesion was removed via the transungual approach. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of an osteoid osteoma. His pain was immediately relieved after surgery. At the 2-year followup, he had no pain and the clubbed finger deformity had improved. In cases where clubbed finger deformity involves only one finger, the possibility of chronic osteomyelitis or osteoid osteoma should be considered.

Osteoid Osteoma is benign bone forming tumor which commonly occurs in long bones of lower limb. Presence of these rare tumors in the distal phalanx of the digits of the hand is considered a rare phenomenon. In hand, they usually present as chronic pain, swelling, nail enlargement and increase in size of digit. Diagnosis is challenging with clinical examination and usual imaging modalities and often confused with glomus tumor, enchondroma, infection, trauma and rheumatic disease. Surgical excision of the tumor, if present in hand, is the treatment of choice that aids in coming to the exact diagnosis too. The aim of the paper is to report yet another uncommon case of osteoid osteoma of distal phalanx of middle finger mimicking glomus tumor.

Background: The terminal phalanx of the fingers carries the attachment of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) on the volar surface and the extensor on the dorsal surface. Avulsion of these tendons has traditionally been repaired with pull-through sutures. Recently, bone anchor sutures have been found to be of comparable biomechanical strength but with the added advantage of technical ease and fewer complications. However, the dimensions of the bone, at the site of insertion of the anchors, have never been studied.

Methods: Following some cases of penetration of the dorsal cortex by the anchors, we measured the antero-posterior dimensions of the terminal phalanx in 251 digits from plain radiographs and compared these with the dimensions of the commonly used bone anchors. We also compared male and female digits.

Results: The anchors were oversized in 76% of index, 78% of ring and 100% of little fingers in the female population and in 49%, 44% and 97% of index, ring and little fingers respectively in the male population.

Conclusions: This analysis of bone dimensions can be a useful guide to surgeons in choosing the appropriate implant for flexor tendon avulsions.

One of the serious complications of Seymour fractures is infection. A 24-year-old male presented with the open infected distal phalanx fracture of the middle finger. Wound debridement, irrigation, use of antibiotics and external fixation with the aid of mini-Ilizarov provided a resolution to the infectious process and enabled us to achieve a stable osseous union in correct position.

Flexor Digitorum Profundus avulsion injury associated with an enchondroma at the level of the distal phalanx is extremely rare. There have been few cases reported to date and most have been surgically managed using a screw and/or Bunnell pull-out wire technique with or without bone grafting. We describe the first case using a simple interosseus fixation technique for the reattachment of FDP tendon without bone grafting. The patient made an excellent post-operative recovery. This technique is a simple, effective, patient-friendly and internalised solution which, in addition, may prevent the need for bone grafting.

Background: Phalangeal fractures are common in hand injuries which: comprising of 23% of all hand and forearm fractures. The current consensus is that focus of treatment should be on prompt irrigation and debridement to reduce infection risk. These infections are significant as they can lead to serious sequelae including osteomyelitis. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of infection amongst patients with open fracture of distal phalanx who had been treated with K-wire fixation and the timing of their operative management compared to the UK national guideline.

Methods: We performed a retrospective case-note analysis of the patients treated for open distal phalangeal fractures at a regional hands centre over the period of 12 months, and compared with the national guidelines. Data collected included patient demographics, mechanism of injury, length of time taken from injury to first washout, length of time K-wire remains in situ, and infection rate.

Results: Half of the patients (n = 19) met the guideline and were treated with washout within the first 24 hours. Infection rates in this group was 11%. This compared with 26% in those patients that did not receive washout within 24 hours.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the difficulty in always meeting national guidelines and suggests key reasons for this. The authors propose a set of local, easily-achieved interventions to raise awareness and compliance with the national guidelines and reduce infection. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of carefully selecting cases that required percutaneous K-wire fixation.

Reports describing the treatment of non-union of the distal phalanx of the thumb are limited. We present the case of a 45-year-old man who developed a symptomatic non-union after an open fracture of the distal phalanx of the thumb. He was treated with a reverse dorso-ulnar vascularised fascial metacarpal bone flap. Bone union was achieved 3 months post surgery, and he was well at 7 months post surgery. The reverse dorso-ulnar fascial metacarpal bone flap is an alternative to consider in patients with non-union of the distal phalanx of the thumb.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)

Intraosseous schwannomas are extremely rare and only a few cases involving the proximal phalanx and metacarpal of the hand have been reported. We report a patient with an intraosseous schwannoma of the distal phalanx. Radiographs showed lytic lesions in the bony cortex and enlarged soft shadows of the distal phalanx. The lesion was hyperintense to fat on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and strongly enhanced after gadolinium (Gd) administration. Surgical findings revealed that the tumour had developed from the palmar side of the distal phalanx and the medullary cavity was filled with a yellow tumour. The histological diagnosis was schwannoma. A definitive diagnosis of intraosseous schwannoma using radiography is difficult. In our case, a high signal was observed on Gd-enhanced MRI and histological findings showed areas with a high cellular area. Thus, Gd-enhanced MRI may help in the diagnosis of intraosseous schwannomas of the hand.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)

Brachytelephalangy is a congenital condition characterised by the shortening of the distal phalanges, which affects appearance but does not cause severe functional disability. Therefore, most hand surgeons do not consider it to require surgical treatment, and there are limited options to improve the appearance of the affected digits. We present the case of a 55-year-old male patient with congenital brachytelephalangy of the thumb, who underwent a bone lengthening procedure using distraction osteogenesis with the Ilizarov minifixator. The distal phalanx was carefully osteotomised and gradually lengthened up to 5 mm with no adverse events observed. The patient was satisfied with the natural appearance of his thumb after the surgery. This gradual callus distraction method is a radical solution for people with brachytelephalangy, particularly after epiphyseal closure and can manage the external fixator on their own.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)