Plating with a dorsal T-plate

Articular fractures need anatomical reduction and fixation. They may be simple or comminuted and may be fixed with an anatomical plate.

The articular fragments are reduced and fixed first. In the second step, the extraarticular fracture component is reduced and fixed.

Noncomminuted fracture components, eg, between the articular fragments or between the articular block and the diaphysis, may be fixed with compression.

The reduction can be assisted with arthroscopy if skill and equipment are available.

In this procedure, the reduction and fixation of a T/Y-shaped and a comminuted articular fracture with a T-plate is shown.

Several plate types are available for treatment of this fracture:

• Phalangeal base plate; lateral
• T- or Y-plate; dorsal
• Condylar plate; dorsal or lateral
• Strut plate

Select a plate according to fragment size, fracture geometry, and surgeon’s preference.

A plate with variable-angle (VA) locking-head screws has the advantage of allowing insertion of two or three screws at variable angles into the articular block. The rounded plate edges avoid soft-tissue irritation and adhesion.

The plate needs to be contoured to fit the anatomy of the phalangeal base.

Place the patient supine with the arm on a radiolucent hand table.

For this procedure, the following approach may be used:

• Dorsal approach to the proximal phalanx (after Pratt)

If the fracture line allows, eg, in a T- or Y-shaped fracture with the articular fracture line running from palmar to dorsal, a lag screw may be inserted to stabilize the articular fracture. This converts a three-part fracture to a two-part fracture.

Make sure the screw track is not interfering with later plate application.

• Cortical lag-screw insertion

Compression fractures are not reducible by ligamentotaxis, as the centrally impacted fragments are devoid of soft-tissue attachments.

Direct reduction is, therefore, necessary.

The key to fixing compression fractures is restoring the joint surface to as close as normal as possible and supporting the reduction with bone graft and internal fixation.

Use a K-wire, or dental pick, to disimpact the fragments and push towards the head of the metacarpal, which is used as a template to ensure congruity of the articular surface of the phalanx.

Since the metaphyseal cancellous bone is impacted, a void may be created by its disimpaction.

This jeopardizes the fracture in two ways:

• Very unstable situation in which the fragments may easily redisplace (collapse)
• Delayed healing process

Additionally, a periarticular K-wire may be used to reposition and support impacted articular fragments.

At this stage, it is advisable to check the alignment and rotational correction by moving the finger through a range of motion.

Rotational alignment can only be judged with flexed metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The fingertips should all point to the scaphoid.

Malrotation may manifest by an overlap of the flexed finger over its neighbor. Subtle rotational malalignments can often be judged by a tilt of the leading edge of the fingernail when the fingers are viewed end-on.

If the patient is conscious and the regional anesthesia still allows active movement, the patient can be asked to extend and flex the finger.

Any malrotation is corrected by direct manipulation and later fixed.

Under general anesthesia, the tenodesis effect is used, with the surgeon fully flexing the wrist to produce extension of the fingers and fully extending the wrist to cause flexion of the fingers.

Alternatively, the surgeon can exert pressure against the muscle bellies of the proximal forearm to cause passive flexion of the fingers.

Confirm fracture fixation and stability with an image intensifier.

If conventional condylar plates are used, cancellous autograft, or very occasionally bone substitutes (eg, hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate), will be necessary to support the articular fragments and fill the impaction void. Bone graft will enhance the healing process.

• Bone graft addition

Adapt the plate length to fit the length of the proximal phalanx. Avoid sharp edges, which may be injurious to the tendons. There should be at least 3 plate holes distal to the fracture available for fixation in the diaphysis. At least two screws need to be inserted into the diaphysis.

The dorsal surface of the proximal phalanx is gently convex. If the straight T-plate is not adequately contoured to follow this convexity, tightening the distal screw will open the fracture on its palmar aspect.

By overbending the plate, compression can be exerted on the opposite cortex. This may only be applied in fractures with simple fracture surfaces, not in comminution fractures with complex fracture surfaces, as the reduction may be compromised (collapse).

In comminuted fractures, it is important to contour the plate to fit the bone perfectly. Neither compression nor distraction forces should occur through screw tightening, as the reduction would be compromised (collapse).

Check for perfect adaptation of the plate to the diaphysis and metaphysis.

If it is not perfectly adapted, fracture displacement or malrotation may occur.

Place the plate dorsally on the phalanx, as proximally as possible, without interfering with the joint.

Ensure that the plate is centered on the diaphysis in the coronal plane.

Keep the plate in place with the atraumatic forceps.

Insert two proximal screws. Begin fixation with the most critical articular fragment.

• Locking head screw insertion

Carefully drill a first hole for a screw through the transverse part of the plate with a 1.0 mm drill bit. The drill bit should engage but not penetrate the far cortex.

Insert the first screw. Ensure it engages the far cortex but does not protrude into the fibroosseous flexor digital channel, where the flexor tendons run. The digital nerve and artery are also at risk of injury.

Insert a second screw into the opposite end of the transverse plate section in the same fashion, alternately tightening both screws.

If the articular fracture allows, apply extrinsic compression.

After inserting the first VA locking head screw, compress the fracture with reduction forceps. Position one tip of the forceps on the plate with the first screw to avoid damage to the bone cortex.

Insert the second VA locking screw to hold the compression.

Manipulate the distal part of the phalanx to correct length and malrotation.

Insert at least two screws into the most distal plate holes.

• Screw insertion in neutral mode
• Locking head screw insertion

Confirm length, alignment, and rotation.

If the fracture configuration allows, insert further screws, but do not enter the comminuted zone.

Cover the plate with periosteum to avoid adhesion between the tendon and the implant leading to limited finger movement.

Manipulate the distal part of the phalanx to correct length and malrotation.

Insert a cortical screw in compression mode in the oblong hole.

• Screw insertion in compression mode

Prepare and insert a locking screw in the diaphysis.

Cover the plate with periosteum to avoid adhesion between the tendon and the implant leading to limited finger movement.

Confirm fracture reduction and stability and implant position with an image intensifier.

The aftercare can be divided into four phases of healing:

• Inflammatory phase (week 1–3)
• Early repair phase (week 4–6)
• Late repair and early tissue remodeling phase (week 7–12)
• Remodeling and reintegration phase (week 13 onwards)

Full details on each phase can be found here.

If there is swelling, the hand is supported with a dorsal splint for a week. This would allow for finger movement and help with pain and edema control. The arm should be actively elevated to help reduce the swelling.

The hand should be splinted in an intrinsic plus (Edinburgh) position:

• Neutral wrist position or up to 15° extension
• MCP joint in 90° flexion
• PIP joint in extension

The reason for splinting the MCP joint in flexion is to maintain its collateral ligament at maximal length, avoiding scar contraction.

PIP joint extension in this position also maintains the length of the volar plate.

After subsided swelling, protect the digit with buddy strapping to a neighboring finger to neutralize lateral forces on the finger.

To prevent joint stiffness, the patient should be instructed to begin active motion (flexion and extension) immediately after surgery.

See the patient after 5 and 10 days of surgery.

The implants may need to be removed in cases of soft-tissue irritation.

In case of joint stiffness or tendon adhesion restricting finger movement, arthrolysis or tenolysis may become necessary. In these circumstances, the implants can be removed at the same time.