A STUDY OF THE EXTERNAL FINGER FIXATOR TO CORRECT FLEXION DEFORMITY

Abstract

Severe fixed flexion deformities at the fingers are common injuries that can lead to pain and stiffness when treated improperly. The damage varies from a sprain of the collateral ligaments to an all-round comminuted fracture-dislocation. The flexion deformities occur because of a variety of issues including fractures (broken bones), burns, tissue expansion, facial contracture and finger joint dislocation 1. With conventional splints it is difficult to apply an effective torque without causing pain and inflammation due to pressure on the skin. The objective of the study is to develop a new design for external finger fixator to correct severe fixed flexion deformity. Siow et al. (1999) conducted a clinical trial on three patients by using mini external fixator where each of them had severe fixed flexion of deformity. The device was applied up to 44 days and post-operative observation showed that the effected finger can extend up to 75% from the initial range of motion 2. The use of this external fixator for correction of rigid soft tissue deformities of the hand has proved that it is not only feasible, but works well.