CASE AT A GLANCE
5th Finger Fracture and Surgical Repair
Illustrated Verdict, Inc. © All rights reserved.
Case Overview:
The case involves a number of complications from an oblique spiral fracture to the left 5th proximal phalanx (pinky finger). The plaintiff claims improper performance of surgery to repair finger fracture resulted in contracture and need for multiple surgeries. The defendant physician performed a number of surgeries to try and fix the fracture. The key surgery was the first surgery where he performed an open reduction and internal fixation. He used screws to stabilize the bones, but felt something additional was needed to keep the bones secure and improve healing. Traditionally, a metal plate would be used over the bone for this purpose. However, the physician wanted to minimize the scar tissue that formed, as this patient played the viola in an orchestra. He used a technique of an interosseous cerclage to essentially sew the fracture together. Unfortunately the patient did wind up forming a lot of scar tissue and the physician went back in multiple times to remove hardware and lyse adhesions. Eventually, the patient went to another hand surgeon, who fused the joint. The jury found in favor of the defense.
