The Suzuki frame for complex intraarticular fractures of the thumb.

Background: Suzuki et al. in 1994 described the pins and rubber traction system for comminuted intraarticular fractures and fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hand. The authors used the pins and rubber traction system to treat five complex fractures of the thumb.

Methods: From February of 1999 to April of 2003, five patients, four men and one woman, had a pins and rubber traction system applied for complex fractures of the interphalangeal joint (two patients) and metacarpophalangeal joint (three patients) of the thumb. The mean age of the patients was 35.4 years (range, 28 to 50 years). The system was applied for 4 weeks in all cases.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 23.6 months. The mean range of total movement for the metacarpophalangeal joint was 55 degrees (45 degrees of flexion and 10 degrees of extension). The two patients with the interphalangeal joint fractures achieved flexion of 0 to 65 degrees and 0 to 55 degrees, respectively. Joint space narrowing was observed in three cases. One patient had persistent swelling of the metacarpophalangeal joint 14 months after the initial treatment but had no functional deficit or pain. No pin track infection was observed in this series.

Conclusions: Previous reports regarding the application of the pins and rubber traction system have focused on pilon fractures and dorsal fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. In the present study, the authors described their experience with application of the Suzuki frame for complex intraarticular fractures of the thumb. The authors believe that the pins and rubber traction system can be used to treat difficult intraarticular fractures of the thumb, with very good functional results.