Tenodermodesis for the Treatment of Late-Presenting Tendinous Mallet Finger Deformities in Children and Adolescents

Main Article Content

Andrés Ferreyra
Pablo Luis Eamara
Lucas M. Lanfranchi
Victoria M. Allende Nores
Julio Javier Masquijo

Abstract

Introduction: Tendinous mallet finger may go initially unnoticed in children and adolescents, limiting the possibilities of conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment with the tenodermodesis technique in late-presentig injuries.
Materials and Methods: Nine patients (8 males) with an average age of 8.6±6 years (1-15 range) were retrospectively evaluated. The injury manifested at an average of 27±11.4 days after trauma (15-45 range). In 4 patients the mechanism was a laceration and, in 5, indirect trauma. Patients were treated by tenodermodesis and transitory fixation of the distal interphalangeal joint with a Kirschner wire. The average follow-up was 61±34.7 months (12-106 range). Active and passive range of motion of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ), pain, deformity, limitations in everyday life activities, and need for further treatment were evaluated. Crawford criteria was used to evaluate the outcomes.
Results: The results were excellent in eight patients, and fair in one according to the Crawford criteria. One case required reintervention for re-rupture in a poorly collaborating patient. Two cases presented granuloma as a complication and required resection. No patients presented pain at the last follow-up, nor limitations in everyday life activities. Eight patients had full active DIPJ extension, and one had a 20° residual deformity.
Conclusion: Tenodermodesis allows anatomical reconstruction of the extensor mechanism in pediatric patients. The clinical results are encouraging in late-presenting lesions.
Level of Evidence: IV

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Article Details

How to Cite
Ferreyra, A., Eamara, P. L., Lanfranchi, L. M., Allende Nores, V. M., & Masquijo, J. J. (2021). Tenodermodesis for the Treatment of Late-Presenting Tendinous Mallet Finger Deformities in Children and Adolescents. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 86(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2021.86.1.1006
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Andrés Ferreyra, Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Andrés Ferreyra, MD. Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Pablo Luis Eamara, Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Pablo Luis Eamara, MD. Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Lucas M. Lanfranchi, Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Lucas M. Lanfranchi, MD. Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Victoria M. Allende Nores, Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Victoria M. Allende Nores, MD. Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Julio Javier Masquijo, Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Julio J.  Masquijo, MD. Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

References

1. Alla SR, Deal ND, Dempsey IJ. Current concepts: mallet finger. Hand 2014;9(2):138-44.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-014-9609-y

2. Bendre AA, Hartigan BJ, Kalainov DM. Mallet finger. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2005;13(5):336-44.
https://doi.org/10.5435/00124635-200509000-00007

3. Valdes K, Naughton N, Algar L. Conservative treatment of mallet finger - A systematic review. J Hand Ther
2015;28(3):237-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2015.03.001

4. Kardestuncer T, Bae DS, Waters PM. The results of tenodermodesis for severe chronic mallet finger deformity in children. J Pediatr Orthop 2008;28(1):81-5. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0b0131815ff31e

5. Shin EK, Bae DS. Tenodermodesis for chronic mallet finger deformities in children. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg
2007;11(4):262-5. https://doi.org/10.1097/BTH.0b013e31812f5714

6. Sorene ED, Goodwin DR. Tenodermodesis for established mallet finger deformity. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg
Hand Surg 2004;38(1):43-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/02844310310009528

7. De Boeck H, Jaeken R. Treatment of chronic mallet finger deformity in children by tenodermodesis. J Pediatr
Orthop 1992;12(3):351-4. https://doi.org/10.1097/01241398-199205000-00013

8. Waters PM, Benson LS. Dislocation of the distal phalanx epiphysis in toddlers. J Hand Surg Am 1993;18(4):581-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/0363-5023(93)90293-C

9. Iselin F, Levame J, Godoy J. A simplified technique for treating mallet fingers: tenodermodesis. J Hand Surg Am
1977;2(2):118-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0363-5023(77)80095-6

10. Garberman SF, Diao E, Peimer CA. Mallet finger: Results of early versus delayed closed treatment. J Hand Surg Am 1994;19:850-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/0363-5023(94)90200-3

11. Altan E, Alp NB, Baser R, Yalçın L. Soft-tissue mallet injuries: a comparison of early and delayed treatment. J Hand Surg Am 2014;39(10):1982-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.06.140

12. Auchincloss JM. Mallet-finger injuries: a prospective, controlled trial of internal and external splintage. Hand
1982;14(2):168-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0072-968x(82)80011-9

13. Bellemere P. Treatment of chronic extensor tendons lesions of the fingers. Chir Main 2015;34(4):155-81.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.main.2015.05.001

14. Makhlouf VM, Deek NA. Surgical treatment of chronic mallet finger. Ann Plast Surg 2011;66(6):670-2.
https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0b013e3181e6d017

15. Ulkür E, Cengiz A, Ozge E, Celiköz B. Repair of chronic mallet finger deformity using Miteck micro arc bone
anchor. Ann Plast Surg 2005;5:393-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.sap.0000151464.03967.a2

16. Warren RA, Kay NR, Ferguson DG. Mallet finger: comparison between operative and conservative management in those cases failing to be cured by splintage. J Hand Surg Br 1988;13(2):159-60.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0266-7681(88)90127-1

17. Kon M, Bloem JJAM. Treatment of mallet fingers by tenodermodesis. Hand 1982;14(2):174-5.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0072-968x(82)80012-0

18. Nakamura K, Nanjyo B. Reassessment of surgery for mallet finger. Plast Reconstr Surg 1994;93:141-149. PMID: 8278469

19. Doyle JR. Extensor tendons—acute injuries. En: Green DP, Hotchkiss RN, Pederson WC (eds). Green’s operative hand surgery, 4th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1999:1962-87.

20. Crawford FP. The molded polythene splint for mallet finger deformities. Hand Am 1984;2(9):231-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0363-5023(84)80148-3

21. Georgescu AV, Capota IMV, Matei IRG. A new surgical treatment for mallet finger deformity- Deepithelialised
pedicled skin flap technique. Injury 2013;44:351-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2013.01.013

22. Brzezienski MA, Schneider LH. Extensor tendon injuries at the distal interphalangeal joint. Hand Clin 1995;11:373-86. PMID: 7559816

23. Houpt P, Dijkstra R, Storm van Leeuwen JB. Fowler’s tenotomy for mallet deformity. J Hand Surg Br 1993;18:499-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/0266-7681(93)90157-b

24. Thompson JS, Littler JW, Upton J. The spiral oblique retinacular ligament (SORL). J Hand Surg Am 1978;3:482-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0363-5023(78)80144-0

25. Kleinman WB, Petersen DP. Oblique retinacular ligament reconstruction for chronic mallet finger deformity. J Hand Surg Am 1984;9:399-404. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0363-5023(84)80231-2

26. Katzman SS, Gibeault JD, Dickson K, Thompson JD. Use of a Herbert screw for interphalangeal joint arthrodesis. Clin Orthop 1993;296:127-32. PMID: 8222414