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.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Kang HJ, Sung SY, Ha JW, Yoon HK, Hahn SB. Operative treatment for proximal phalangeal neck fractures of the finger in children. Yonsei Med J. 2005;46(6):491–5.
Nellans KW, Chung KC. Pediatric hand fractures. Hand Clin. 2013;29(4):569–78.
Abzug JM, Dua K, Bauer AS, Cornwall R, Wyrick TO. Pediatric phalanx fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2016;24(11):e174–83. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00199.
Case AL, Hosseinzadeh P, Baldwin KD, Abzug JM. Hand fractures in children: when do I need to start thinking about surgery? Instr Course Lect. 2019;68:415–26.
Al-Qattan MM, Al-Qattan AM. A review of phalangeal neck fractures in children. Injury. 2015;46(6):935–44.
Cornwall R, Waters PM. Remodeling of phalangeal neck fracture malunions in children: Case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2004;29(3):458–61.
Graham TJ, Waters PM. Fractures and dislocations of the hand and carpus in children. In: Beaty JH, Kasser JR, editors. Rockwood and Wilkins’ fractures in children, ed 5. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2001. p. 269–379.
Al-Qattan MM. Phalangeal neck fractures in children: classification and outcome in 66 cases. J Hand Surg Br. 2001;26(2):112–21.
Dua K, O'Hara NN, Shusterman I, Abzug JM. Ossification of the proximal and middle phalangeal condyles: radiographic aid in phalangeal neck fracture reduction. J Pediatr Orthop. 2019;39(3):e222–6. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001255.
Herman MJ, Boardman MJ, Hoover JR, et al. Relationship of the anterior humeral line to the capitellar ossific nucleus: variability with age. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91:2188–93.
Campbell RM Jr. Operative treatment of fractures and dislocations of the hand and wrist region in children. Orthop Clin North Am. 1990;21(2):217–43.
Park KB, Lee KJ, Kwak YH. Comparison between buddy taping with a short-arm splint and operative treatment for phalangeal neck fractures in children. J Pediatr Orthop. 2016;36(7):736–42.
Matzon JL, Cornwall R. A stepwise algorithm for surgical treatment of type II displaced pediatric phalangeal neck fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(3):467–73.
Karl JW, White NJ, Strauch RJ. Percutaneous reduction and fixation of displaced phalangeal neck fractures in children. J Pediatr Orthop. 2012;32(2):156–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0b013e3182423124.
Abzug JM, Mehlman CT. The community orthopaedic surgeon taking trauma call: pediatric phalangeal fracture pearls and pitfalls. J Orthop Trauma. 2017;31(Suppl 6):S1–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOT.0000buddy000000001013.
Puckett BN, Gaston RG, Peljovich AE, Lourie GM, Floyd WE 3rd. Remodeling potential of phalangeal distal condylar malunions in children. J Hand Surg Am. 2012 Jan;37(1):34–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.09.017.
Liao JCY, Huan SKW, Tan RES, Lim JX, Chong AKS, Das DS. A comparison of casting versus splinting for nonoperative treatment of pediatric phalangeal neck fractures. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Jan;41(1):e30–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001687.
Wallace R, Topper SM, Eilert RE. Management of phalangeal neck fractures in children. Mil Med. 2006;171(2):139–41.
Al-Qattan MM. Phalangeal neck fractures with concurrent vascular injury. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009;34(1):104–9.
Boyer JS, London DA, Stepan JG, Goldfarb CA. Pediatric proximal phalanx fractures: outcomes and complications after the surgical treatment of displaced fractures. J Pediatr Orthop. 2015;35(3):219–23.
Leonard MH, Dubravcik P. Management of fractured fingers in the child. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1970;73:160–8.
Al-Qattan MM. Nonunion and avascular necrosis following phalangeal neck fractures in children. J Hand Surg Am. 2010 Aug;35(8):1269–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2010.03.038; Epub 2010 June 17.
Simmons BP, Peters TT. Subcondylar fossa reconstruction for malunion of fractures of the proximal phalanx in children. J Hand Surg Am. 1987;12(6):1079–82.
Yousif NJ, Cunningham MW, Sanger JR, Gingrass RP, Matloub HS. The vascular supply to the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg Am. 1985;10(6 pt 1):852–61.
Shewring DJ, Miller AC, Ghandour A. Condylar fractures of the proximal and middle phalanges. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2015;40(1):51–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193413508514.
Kiral A, Erken HY, Akmaz I, et al. Pins and rubber band traction for treatment of comminuted intra-articular fractures in the hand. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(4):696–705.
Cornwall R, Ricchetti ET. Pediatric phalanx fractures: unique challenges and pitfalls. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006;445:146–56.
Williams AA, Lochner HV. Pediatric hand and wrist injuries. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2013;6(1):18–25.
Sirota MA, Parks BG, Higgins JP, Means KR Jr. Stability of fixation of proximal phalanx unicondylar fractures of the hand: a biomechanical cadaver study. J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(1):77–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.09.026.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Additional information
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the submitted article are our own and not an official position of the institution.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
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
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32072-9_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-32071-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-32072-9
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)