Biomechanical analysis of mallet finger fracture fixation techniques.

Abstract

A biomechanical study was conducted to determine the best fixation technique for mallet finger fracture among four commonly used methods. Considerations were technical complications, biomechanical properties, and maintenance of reduction. Techniques tested included Kirshner wire, figure-of-eight wire, tension band wire, and tension band suture. Technical complications were frequent with both the Kirschner wire and tension band wire techniques. Biomechanical testing yielded significantly greater energy absorbed to failure and a trend toward greater peak loads to failure for both the figure-of-eight wire and tension band suture techniques. Irreversible loss of reduction during testing occurred in all of the Kirschner wire-fixed fractures, in 60% of the tension band wire-fixed fractures, and in 50% of the figure-of-eight wire-fixed fractures. No irreversible failure occurred in the tension band suture group.