Results of acute zone III extensor tendon injuries treated with dynamic extension splinting.

Motivated by the favorable results of dynamic splinting in the treatment of more proximal extensor tendon injuries, we explored the use of dynamic splinting in the treatment of zone III extensor tendon lacerations. Twenty-two tendon repairs in 19 patients were available for review. On the basis of degree of extension lag and pulp-to-palm distance, 14 repairs were rated as excellent, 6 as good, and 2 as fair. Using total active motion at 10 weeks, the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints averaged 170 degrees. There was one mild boutonniere deformity. The results of this prospective study show that carefully monitored dynamic splinting is safe in the treatment of zone III lacerations. When results were compared with the results of our method of static splinting used prior to this prospective study, patients returned to full activities with good-to-excellent results 8 weeks earlier instead of at 16 to 18 weeks.

Complex dorsal dislocation of the second carpometacarpal joint.

Isolated dislocation of the carpometacarpal joint of the index finger is a rare injury. This paper reports a case of an isolated dorsal dislocation of the second carpometacarpal joint not reducible by closed means. At open reduction, the extensor carpi radialis brevis was found to be interposed in the joint, blocking reduction.