Dynamic Suzuki frame for the interphalangeal joint fracture: A case report

Abstract

Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint injuries are one of the common injuries of hand. Most common in motor vehicle accidents and sports injury. Various treatment modalities are available to treat such fractures like buddy strapping with or without extension block splint, CRPP, ORIF with interfragmentary screws, Schenck dynamic traction, Hynes and Giddings device and many other modalities. This is one of the challenging fractures as there is high incidence of stiffness, loss of function and deformity leading to disability following the treatment. The pins and rubber traction frame (Suzuki frame) system is one of the novel technique to reduce the disability.Case: 66 years old male with history of motor vehicle accident, presented with comminuted intra-articular fracture of base of middle phalanx (PIP joint) extending distally to DIP joint of the fourth finger of left hand. We used Suzuki frame for the treatment of the fracture.Suzuki frame technique is a simple, minimally invasive, soft tissue sparing, cost effective, dynamic external fixation technique, can be done at minimal resource setting, which allows early ROM at PIP and DIP joint, enabling good bone and joint remodeling and good function of the finger, leading to disability free hand with minimal complication rate.