Finger (phalanx) fracture

Background

• Be wary of avulsion fracture of base of phalanx
  • Lateral or medial fracture fragment = collateral ligament avulsion
  • Dorsal fracture fragment = extensor tendon avulsion
  • Palmar fracture fragment = volar plate avulsion

Finger (phalanx) fracture types

• Proximal Phalanx (Finger) Fracture
• Middle Phalanx (Finger) Fracture
• Distal Phalanx (Finger) Fracture

Clinical Features

Unnatural angulation of a phalanx fracture.

• Pain and/or swelling of the digit

Differential Diagnosis

Hand and Finger Fracture Types

• Non-thumb metacarpal fractures
  • Head
  • Neck
  • Shaft
  • Base
  • Boxer's fracture
• Thumb fracture
• Finger (Phalanx) Fracture
  • Proximal
  • Middle
  • Distal

Management

General Fracture Management

• Acute pain management
• Open fractures require immediate IV antibiotics and urgent surgical washout
• Neurovascular compromise from fracture requires emergent reduction and/or orthopedic intervention
• Consider risk for compartment syndrome

See Also

• Hand and Finger Fractures
• Hand Diagnoses (Main)