In situ osteotomy for extra-articular malunion of the proximal phalanx

Eleven patients had correction of extra-articular malunions of the proximal phalanx by in situ osteotomy stabilized with a dorsal plate, which healed within 7 weeks. The patients' average age was 27 years; 8 of the patients were male. After an average follow-up period of 35 months (range, 25-54 months), all the patients had correction of the overlapping or scissoring of the digits during flexion. The rotation deformity improved from 17 degrees to 2 degrees and the angular deformity present in 6 patients improved from 14 degrees to 0 degrees. None of the patients lost motion. On average, the patients improved from 85 degrees to 100 degrees flexion for the proximal interphalangeal joint and from 45 degrees to 55 degrees for the distal interphalangeal joint. Copyright (C) 1998 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.