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Pediatric Phalangeal Neck and Condylar Fractures

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Pediatric and Adult Hand Fractures

Abstract

Phalangeal fractures are the most common type of hand fracture present in the pediatric population. Phalangeal neck fractures are fractures distal to the collateral ligament recess of the proximal or middle phalanges. Phalangeal condyle fractures include lateral avulsion, unicondylar, bicondylar, and subcondylar shearing fractures with or without concomitant joint subluxation or dislocation. Pediatric phalangeal neck and condylar fractures may be managed nonoperatively or operatively depending on the degree of fracture displacement. Nondisplaced fractures are managed through immobilization with very close observation, whereas displaced fractures are typically treated with a closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Complications of phalangeal neck and phalangeal condyle fractures include joint stiffness, osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, and malunion.

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Correspondence to Joshua M. Abzug .

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Kolakowski, L., May, C.C., Abzug, J.M. (2023). Pediatric Phalangeal Neck and Condylar Fractures. In: Abzug, J.M., Gaston, R.G., Osterman, A.L., Tosti, R.J. (eds) Pediatric and Adult Hand Fractures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32072-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32072-9_5

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