Avulsion Fracture on my right ring finger in August 09

[Patrick144]

Hello,

In August of this year I was at a friend’s house on vacation. Someone left the door open while we were outside and my friend’s dog came running outside and I tried to grab the dog to keep it from being hit by a car, but in doing this the only finger that caught his collar was my right ring finger. I felt a pop right away and could no longer bend the tip of my finger. Turns out I had an avulsion fracture and the ligament ripped half the bone from the tip of my finger. I have had two surgeries on my finger. The first surgery they placed two small screws in the bone, and when I went the next week for the follow up they had popped out of place and needed a second surgery. During the second surgery they placed a 1&1/2 inch pin down the tip of the finger, a metal band around the bone, and a suture that went around the bone and through the top on my fingernail. I got the pin out November 2nd, but the metal band stayed around the bone. My problem is that now it looks as if there is no cartilage in the joint, the tip of my finger is offset and shorter. I am always in constant pain and the finger doesn’t bend at all now. I’m going to see a different surgeon, but I’m wondering if it is even worth it? I can feel the bone on bone cracking anytime I try to bend it and I just want the pain to end. Would they even be able to fix the finger with a 3rd surgery, and if not what can I do to get rid of the chronic pain I suffer from daily?


Thanks!

[Patrick144]

Thank you very much sir!! That answered my question completely!!!

Have a great week!!

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

At this point a corrective surgery can be necessary as you are not symptom free.
The range of movements, symptoms should decrease by physiotherapy or else there might be some tendon correction which might be required.
Also consult a neurologist to confirm any compression of nerves in the area.

Take care!

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

At this point a corrective surgery can be necessary as you are not symptom free.
The range of movements, symptoms should decrease by physiotherapy or else there might be some tendon correction which might be required.
Also consult a neurologist to confirm any compression of nerves in the area.

Take care!

[Patrick144]

Thank you for your input, but that didn't answer my question at all. I had a pin and a splint for 11 weeks, and the pin was taken out November 2nd. I did everything you stated for me to do for over 3 months. What I was asking was if a third surgery would help me or make it worse? I'm right handed and every time I try to grip anything it feels like there are lots of needles being pushed into my finger.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

As you can understand these types of injuries are difficult to treat, due to the location and the size of the tendon and the force of the muscle and also the tips of the fingers have lesser blood supply.

There is sudden passive flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint so that extensor tendon pf the distal interphalangeal joint is avulsed from its insertion at the base of the distal phalanx.

Try immobilization of the distal interphalangeal joint in hyperextension with the help of an aluminium splint or plaster cast. See if the fracture has healed and follow up with a finger expert (orthopedician)

Take care!