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Phalangeal tuft fracture

Case contributed by Matt A. Morgan
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Slammed right third finger in a door.

Patient Data

Age: 50-55Y
Gender: Male
x-ray

Comminuted phalangeal tuft fracture of the third digit. The fracture does not extend into the DIP joint. Soft tissue swelling around the distal digit.

Zoomed-in images

x-ray

Zoomed in images of the comminuted phalangeal tuft fracture.

Case Discussion

Distal phalanx fractures and phalangeal tuft fractures constitute almost 50% of all hand fractures 1.

Dense fibrous connections in the distal digit around the phalangeal tuft mean that most phalangeal tuft fractures are stable and amenable to closed treatment. Many are managed non-operatively with splinting, but very comminuted fractures may require K-wire stabilization 2.

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