Intra-articular fractures of the Hand
KTPH Hand Fracture fixation Course
31 May to 1 June 2019
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Andrew YH Chin
Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery
Singapore General Hospital
What is an intraarticular fracture? What is an intraarticular fracture?
Fracture with joint surface involvementFracture with joint surface involvement
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Bane of intra-articular fractureBane of intra-articular fracture
Loss of ligament Loss of ligament
restraintsrestraints
Loss of tendon Loss of tendon
attachmentattachment
Loss of structural Loss of structural
stabilitystability
DeformityDeformity
SubluxationSubluxation
Loss of cartilageLoss of cartilage
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Indications for operative treatmentIndications for operative treatment
Anatomically unstableAnatomically unstable
Functionally unstableFunctionally unstable
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Planning for fixation
Location of fracture fragmentsLocation of fracture fragments
Determines the surgical approachDetermines the surgical approach
Size & character of the fracture Size & character of the fracture
fragmentsfragments
Determines the fixation strategy Determines the fixation strategy
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Treatment options (fixation strategy)
Depends on size & Depends on size &
character of the fracture character of the fracture
fragmentsfragments
Sizable fragment (>5mm)Sizable fragment (>5mm)
1.5mm screws possible1.5mm screws possible
Small fragment (<5mm)Small fragment (<5mm)
Wiring or K-wireWiring or K-wire
1.3 & 1.0mm screws1.3 & 1.0mm screws
Hook plateHook plate
ComminutionComminution
External fixation assistedExternal fixation assisted
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Treatment options (large fragment)
(>5mm) with shaft extension
Lateral “bracing” plating with 1.3mm implant
P1 comminuted fracture of the thumb, fixation with P1 comminuted fracture of the thumb, fixation with
radially placed 1.3mm plate & screwsradially placed 1.3mm plate & screws
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Treatment options (small fragment)
(<5mm) 1.3mm implants
Baseball fracture of ring finger, Combined dorsal & Baseball fracture of ring finger, Combined dorsal &
palmar approach, fixation with 2x1.3mm palmar approach, fixation with 2x1.3mm
interfragmentary screwsinterfragmentary screws
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Treatment options (small avulsion fragment)
(<5mm) wiring/K-wire
Collateral ligament avulsion of PIP joint, Collateral ligament avulsion of PIP joint,
fixation with tension band techniquefixation with tension band technique
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Treatment options (small avulsion fragment)
(<5mm) 1.3 mm “hook plate”
Mallet avulsion fracture fixation 1.3 mm Mallet avulsion fracture fixation 1.3 mm
“hook plate” and immediate motion“hook plate” and immediate motion
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Treatment options (intraarticular fragment)
(5mm) intraarticular fragment
5th MC condyle fracture, Intraarticular 5th MC condyle fracture, Intraarticular
fixation with 1.5mm screwfixation with 1.5mm screw
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Treatment options (comminution)
Ext fix assist, bone grafting and minimal
internal fixation
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Comminuted P1 base fracture, neutralizing Comminuted P1 base fracture, neutralizing
distraction with ext fix, bone grafting and minimal distraction with ext fix, bone grafting and minimal
fixationfixation
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Comminuted P1 base fracture, neutralizing distraction with ext fix, bone grafting Comminuted P1 base fracture, neutralizing distraction with ext fix, bone grafting
and minimal fixationand minimal fixation
Treatment options (comminution)
Ext fix assist, bone grafting and minimal
internal fixation
Comminuted P2 base, Suzuki traction, bone Comminuted P2 base, Suzuki traction, bone
grafting & 1.3mm hook plate fixationgrafting & 1.3mm hook plate fixation
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Treatment options (Reverse Bennett’s)
(<5mm) K-wires
Indirect fixation with 1.25mm k-wiresIndirect fixation with 1.25mm k-wires
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Summary
Operative treatment is indicated if the fracture Operative treatment is indicated if the fracture
is anatomically and functionally unstableis anatomically and functionally unstable
The aims of surgery is accurate reduction, The aims of surgery is accurate reduction,
stable fixation and early motionstable fixation and early motion
The fixation strategy is dependent on size and The fixation strategy is dependent on size and
character of the fracture fragmentcharacter of the fracture fragment
Comminuted fractures can be successfully Comminuted fractures can be successfully
treated with ext fix assist, bone grafting and treated with ext fix assist, bone grafting and
minimal fixationminimal fixation
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Acknowledgement
Prof Teoh Lam Chuan Prof Teoh Lam Chuan
for the illustrations, case pictures and x raysfor the illustrations, case pictures and x rays
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