A study of the external finger fixator to correct flexion deformity

摘要

Severe fixed flexion deformities at the fingers are commonudinjuries that can lead to pain and stiffness when treatedudimproperly. The damage varies from a sprain of the udcollateral ligaments to an all-round comminutedudfracture-dislocation. The flexion deformities occur because udof a variety of issues including fractures (broken bones), udburns, tissue expansion, facial contracture and finger jointuddislocation [1]. With conventional splints it is difficult to apply an effective torque without causing pain andudinflammation due to pressure on the skin. The objective of udthe study is to develop a new design for external fingerudfixator to correct severe fixed flexion deformity. Siow et udal. (1999) conducted a clinical trial on three patients by using mini external fixator where each of them had severeudfixed flexion of deformity. The device was applied up toud44 days and post-operative observation showed that the udeffected finger can extend up to 75% from the initial range udof motion [2]. The use of this external fixator for udcorrection of rigid soft tissue deformities of the hand has udproved that it is not only feasible, but works well.