Proximal phalanx fracture
Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 3 Apr 2023
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
O'Graphy T, Bell D, Rasuli B, et al. Proximal phalanx fracture. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-41774
Permalink:
rID:
41774
Article created:
19 Dec 2015,
Tom O'Graphy
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Tom O'Graphy had no recorded disclosures.
View Tom O'Graphy's current disclosures
Last revised:
3 Apr 2023,
Daniel J Bell ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Revisions:
20 times, by
12 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Tags:
Synonyms:
- Proximal phalangeal fractures
Proximal phalanx fractures can be epiphyseal or shaft fractures and can be intra-articular or extra-articular. They are most often the result of forced rotation, hyperextension or direct trauma 2.
On this page:
Epidemiology
Proximal phalanx fractures are the most common pediatric hand fracture 1.
Radiographic features
The fracture is generally well seen on plain radiographs, angulation of these fractures is best seen on the lateral projection 2. Ultrasonography can be used for fractures that are difficult to see or when there are doubts.
Treatment and prognosis
The clinical consolidation is in 4 or 6 weeks; radiological consolidation takes longer. However, it should be noted that the fingers don't tolerate immobilization very well so it should not exceed 3 weeks.
Treatment can be conservative in the case of a non-displaced fracture, but the method of immobilization may vary between orthopedic surgeons. Some use a splint in a palmar or dorsal position, fixating the wrist, MCP joint, and the entire finger, also immobilizing the adjacent finger. Others use a cast that fixates the wrist, metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal phalanx but allows movement of the interphalangeal joints.
Surgery is required in the case of an open fracture, when there is significant displacement, or instability after reduction. Surgical fixation involves Kirschner wires or very small screws.
Quiz questions
{"containerId":"expandableQuestionsContainer","displayRelatedArticles":true,"displayNextQuestion":true,"displaySkipQuestion":true,"articleId":41774,"questionManager":null,"mcqUrl":"https://radiopaedia.org/articles/proximal-phalanx-fracture/questions/1274?lang=us"}
References
- 1. Boyer JS, London DA, Stepan JG, Goldfarb CA. Pediatric proximal phalanx fractures: outcomes and complications after the surgical treatment of displaced fractures. (2015) Journal of pediatric orthopedics. 35 (3): 219-23. doi:10.1097/BPO.0000000000000253 - Pubmed
- 2. Ged G. Wieschhoff, Scott E. Sheehan, Jeremy R. Wortman, George S. M. Dyer, Aaron D. Sodickson, Ketan I. Patel, Bharti Khurana. Traumatic Finger Injuries: What the Orthopedic Surgeon Wants to Know. (2016) RadioGraphics. 36 (4): 1106-28. doi:10.1148/rg.2016150216 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
Cases:
- Proximal phalanx fracture
- Proximal phalanx fracture - 2nd toe
- Fifth proximal phalanx fracture of the hand
- Fifth proximal phalanx fracture of the foot
- Fracture neck of proximal phalanx of 2nd finger
- Proximal phalanx fracture - thumb
- Intra-articular fracture of the base of the proximal phalanx
- Proximal phalanx fracture - 5th toe
- Proximal phalanx fracture
- Proximal phalanx fracture - thumb
- Phalangeal fracture
- Proximal phalanx fractures
- Great toe proximal phalanx fracture
- Right big toe fracture
- Distal phalanx fracture
- Proximal phalanx comminuted fracture
- Second toe proximal phalanx fracture
- Proximal phalanx fracture
- Proximal phalanx fracture
- Multiple toe fractures
Multiple choice questions:
Related articles: Fractures
-
fracture
- terminology
- fracture location
- diaphyseal fracture
- metaphyseal fracture
- physeal fracture
- epiphyseal fracture
- fracture types
- avulsion fracture
- articular surface injuries
- complete fracture
- incomplete fracture
- infraction
- compound fracture
- pathological fracture
- stress fracture
- fracture displacement
- fracture location
- fracture healing
- skull fractures
-
facial fractures
- fractures involving a single facial buttress
- alveolar process fractures
- frontal sinus fracture
- isolated zygomatic arch fractures
- mandibular fracture
- nasal bone fracture
- orbital blow-out fracture
- paranasal sinus fractures
- complex fractures
- dental fractures
- fractures involving a single facial buttress
-
spinal fractures
- classification (AO Spine classification systems)
-
cervical spine fracture classification systems
- AO classification of upper cervical injuries
- AO classification of subaxial injuries
- Anderson and D'Alonzo classification (odontoid fracture)
- Roy-Camille classification (odontoid process fracture)
- Gehweiler classifcation (atlas fractures)
- Levine and Edwards classification (hangman fracture)
- Allen and Ferguson classification (subaxial spine injuries)
- subaxial cervical spine injury classification (SLIC)
- thoracolumbar spinal fracture classification systems
- three column concept of spinal fractures (Denis classification)
- classification of sacral fractures
-
cervical spine fracture classification systems
- spinal fractures by region
- spinal fracture types
- classification (AO Spine classification systems)
- rib fractures
- sternal fractures
-
upper limb fractures
- classification
- Rockwood classification (acromioclavicular joint injury)
- AO classification (clavicle fracture)
- Neer classification (clavicle fracture)
- Neer classification (proximal humeral fracture)
- AO classification (proximal humeral fracture)
- AO/OTA classification of distal humeral fractures
- Milch classification (lateral humeral condyle fracture)
- Weiss classification (lateral humeral condyle fracture)
- Bado classification of Monteggia fracture-dislocations (radius-ulna)
- Mason classification (radial head fracture)
- Frykman classification (distal radial fracture)
- Mayo classification (scaphoid fracture)
- Hintermann classification (gamekeeper's thumb)
- Eaton classification (volar plate avulsion injury)
- Keifhaber-Stern classification (volar plate avulsion injury)
- upper limb fractures by region
- shoulder
- clavicular fracture
-
scapular fracture
- acromion fracture
- coracoid process fracture
- glenoid fracture
- humeral head fracture
- proximal humeral fracture
- humeral neck fracture
- arm
- elbow
- forearm
- wrist
-
carpal bones
- scaphoid fracture
- lunate fracture
- capitate fracture
- triquetral fracture
- pisiform fracture
- hamate fracture
- trapezoid fracture
- trapezium fracture
- hand
- shoulder
- classification
- lower limb fractures
- classification by region
- pelvic fractures
- hip fractures
- Pipkin classification (femoral head fracture)
- Garden classification (hip fracture)
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons classification (periprosthetic hip fracture)
- Cooke and Newman classification (periprosthetic hip fracture)
- Johansson classification (periprosthetic hip fracture)
- Vancouver classification (periprosthetic hip fracture)
- femoral
- knee
- Schatzker classification (tibial plateau fracture)
- AO classification of distal femur fractures
- Meyers and McKeevers classification (anterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture)
- tibia/fibula
- Watson-Jones classification (tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture)
- ankle
- foot
- Berndt and Harty classification (osteochondral lesions of the talus)
- Sanders CT classification (calcaneal fracture)
- Hawkins classification (talar neck fracture)
- Myerson classification (Lisfranc injury)
- Nunley-Vertullo classification (Lisfranc injury)
- pelvis and lower limb fractures by region
- pelvic fracture
- sacral fracture
- coccygeal fracture
-
hip
- acetabular fracture
- femoral head fracture
-
femoral neck fracture
- subcapital fracture
- transcervical fracture
- basicervical fracture
-
trochanteric fracture
- pertrochanteric fracture
- intertrochanteric fracture
- subtrochanteric fracture
- femur
- mid-shaft fracture
- bisphosphonate-related fracture
- distal femoral fracture
- knee
- avulsion fractures
- Segond fracture
- reverse Segond fracture
- anterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture
- posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture
- arcuate complex avulsion fracture (arcuate sign)
- biceps femoris avulsion fracture
- iliotibial band avulsion fracture
- semimembranosus tendon avulsion fracture
- Stieda fracture (MCL avulsion fracture)
- patellar fracture
- tibial plateau fracture
- avulsion fractures
- leg
- tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture
- tibial shaft fracture
- fibular shaft fracture
- Maisonneuve fracture
- ankle
- foot
- tarsal bones
- metatarsal bones
- phalanges
- classification by region
- terminology
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.