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IM Screw vs. K-wire Fixation of Proximal/Middle Phalanx Fractures

Hand; Fracture, Phalanx

When people break their fingers, sometimes surgery is needed to align the bones to heal them properly. There are different ways to fix broken bones in hands, such as plates, pins, or screws. Each method has pros and cons; fixing a broken bone with plates is usually a larger surgery with more cutting but holds the bones very securely. Pins require little to no cutting but the patient needs to immobilize their hand for a few weeks afterwards. Screws are a newer method of fixing broken fingers that requires little cutting and also holds the bones securely. The goal of this study is to compare the effectiveness of using pins versus screws in surgery for broken fingers. The investigators are studying whether using screws leads to better hand function, patient satisfaction, and quicker return to work.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL

  • Eligible Ages:

    18 and up

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. adult patients ≥18 years old
2. scheduled for operative management of extraarticular proximal or middle closed phalanx fracture(s) at the investigators' tertiary hospital
3. feasible to perform closed reduction
4. able to provide informed consent and complete health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires in English

Exclusion Criteria:

1. other fractures that cannot be managed with IM screws or K-wires
2. other intraarticular fractures
3. significant concomitant hand trauma
4. cannot commit to 3 months of follow up at the investigators' institution

Study Location

St. Joseph's Healthcare
St. Joseph's Healthcare
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Emily Dunn, MSc

[email protected]
905-522-1155
Study Sponsored By
McMaster University
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT06372067