Biomechanical and functional testing of plate fixation devices for proximal phalangeal fractures.

Functional testing in fresh cadaver digits of a dorsally applied mini-H plate, a mini-straight plate, and a laterally applied mini-condylar plate demonstrated that all three significantly reduce (p less than 0.2) simulated active PIP joint flexion. The mini-condylar plate, however, provided the least reduction of any of the three plates. Biomechanical testing of the same three plates on proximal phalanx after osteotomy in apex palmar and apex dorsal direction bending showed all three plates to provide rigidity less than the intact bone.