Shaft, multifragmentary
Comminuted fractures
Comminuted fractures are rarely isolated injuries, as they usually result from high-energy trauma (crushing). Soft-tissue lesions are frequently associated with the potential risk of edema, fibrotic reactions and eventual stiffness.
For these reasons, these injuries are usually treated by ORIF, in order to provide sufficient stability for immediate mobilization, reducing the risk of joint stiffness and tendon adhesions.
Depending on the forces acting on the bone, two kinds of comminuted fractures are common: small fragment comminution, or wedge fractures.
Small fragment comminution
Even in the hand, which is well vascularized, small fragment comminution means poor soft-tissue attachment to the fragments and, thereby, biological compromise.
Wedge fracture
The degree and type of comminution depends on the forces and energy that acted on the finger. In some cases, a large wedge fragment may result from the injury. In such cases, vascularity has not usually been significantly compromised.
