Simultaneous dorsal dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in a finger

Double Dislocation of Interphalangeal Joints Accompanied with Contralateral Shoulder Dislocation: A Case Report

Dislocation of any joint is an orthopaedic emergency and needs immediate attention by the attending physician. A delay in reducing a dislocated joint can lead to disastrous complications both immediately as well as in the long run. Although anterior dislocation of a shoulder joint is by far the commonest dislocation encountered by any emergency care physician, other joints may also get dislocated. In certain cases two joints may get dislocated simultaneously. Such dislocation is known as a double dislocation. Double dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint and the distal interphalangeal joint in the same finger is a rare injury. High impact loading at the fingertip is the primary cause in most cases and it is often associated with younger individuals playing contact sports. The right little finger is the digit commonly involved and this injury is evident in football players more often than not. Although closed reduction is a preferred treatment, it may not be always successful. Time of presentation, tendon interposition, associated swelling and co-existent phalangeal fractures are certain key impediments to a successful closed reduction manoeuvre. In patients with an open injury, a thorough wash out and appropriate antibiotic cover is mandatory. We report a rare case of double dislocation of the interphalangeal joints accompanied with contralateral shoulder dislocation in an elderly man sustained after a fall which was treated successfully with closed reduction and early mobilization.

Simultaneous dislocation of both the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of a little finger

A 39-year-old man fell at work sustaining dislocation of both the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of his left little finger. The injuries were assessed and treated with closed reduction and stabilised by buddy taping. Early active range of movement was encouraged and a referral to physiotherapy was made. At the final follow-up, 4 months after the injury, he lacked subtle end of range movement actively, but functionally he was coping well and had made a full return to work.

Simultaneous double interphalangeal joints dislocation in a finger in a teenager

BACKGROUND

Simultaneous dislocation of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the same finger is a rare event. In literature simultaneous double interphalangeal dislocation in the same finger has been reported only one case in a skeletally immature patient which was a fourteen year old male. Our case was twelve years old which is the youngest case in the literature that has been reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 12-year-old male injured his right ring finger while playing football. Examination revealed a stepladder deformity. There was no sign of neurovascular damage. Radiographs showed dorsal dislocation of both the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Reduction of the double dislocation was easily achieved by simple longitudinal traction. The finger was splinted in the intrinsic plus position for 3 weeks and active range of motion was then allowed.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The most prevalent cause of injury was a sport accident. The left hand was less often involved than the right hand. The finger most often injured was the little finger followed by the ring finger, middle finger and the index finger. Closed reduction is the treatment of choice if there is no soft tissue interposition that prohibits the procedure. In most cases, longitudinal traction was sufficient for closed reduction.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

We report the second case of simultaneous proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints dislocations in one finger in a 12-year-old non-athletic boy; which is the youngest case in the literature, managed by closed reduction and early mobilization, with excellent outcome.

Unusual double dislocation of both joints in a same finger: a case report

Simultaneous dislocation of both interphalangeal (IP) joints of same finger is a highly uncommon finding. And dislocation of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint along with interphalangeal joints of thumb are reported in literatures if, scarcely. Here we are reporting the three cases, comprising of double dislocation of IP joints in little finger in two patients and simultaneous MCP and IP joint dislocation in thumb in another third patients as a perusal of rare entity from the northern India.

Simultaneous double dislocation of the interphalangeal joint in a finger

Isolated traumatic dislocation of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers is a common occurrence. However, simultaneous dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in a single finger appears to be a rare event. We report five cases of simultaneous dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in a single finger with a review of the literature.

[Double dislocation of the interphalangeal joints of the little finger, a report of two cases]

Two cases of simultaneous traumatic dorsal dislocation of the interphalangeal joints of the little finger are described. In both cases the patients were managed by closed reduction and neighbour strapping followed by immediate mobilisation. At review, no complications were noted. The range of movements of all the affected joints was normal.

Simultaneous double interphalangeal dislocation in a finger

A rare case of simultaneous dorsal dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in a finger is presented. Review of reported cases revealed that this injury usually occurs on the ulnar side of the hand of young male athletes and has a good outcome with conservative treatment.