Percutaneous pinning of the displaced volar plate avulsion fracture of the PIP joint.

The use of operative or non-operative techniques in the treatment of a volar plate avulsion fracture of the PIP joint has remained controversial. In this study, we describe the use of percutaneous K-wire fixation in 15 patients with a displaced and rotated large fragment of this injury. All processes of the technique, including reduction and interfragmental fixation, were performed with percutaneous K-wires. Mean follow-up was 14.2 months. All patients achieved bony union. Mean active motion was -1.3 degrees /86.2 degrees for the PIP joint and 0 degrees /77.5 degrees for the DIP joint and mean %TAIM was 94.6%. There were no complications. No patients complained of pain and all were able to return to their previous activity. Although this procedure is technically demanding, it reconstructs a rotated or displaced large volar plate avulsion with a low level of invasion, and achieves a satisfactory functional recovery.