A study of the external finger fixator to correct flexion deformity

• Main Authors: Rahman, H.S., Abu Osman, Noor Azuan, Yahud, S., Ahmad, T.S., Ng, E.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2007
• Subjects: R Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/2498/1/external_fixator.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/2498/; http://www.jbiomech.com/article/abstracts?terms1=&terms2=&terms3=&terms4=
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

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.