Dystrophy of the Fifth Finger

Abstract

I ro i 1/u' I?obert Jones and .1o ;zes Hiv;it Ortliopaedic Ilospital, Osweslrv 'I'lie condition to he reported is a rare deformity of the fifth linger which on superficial eXaIluilTIatioli resembles

Reverse Kirner's Deformity: Case Report

“…6 It has been reported to occur in association with malformation syndromes such as Down, Turner, Silver, Cornelia de Lange, or with musculoskeletal abnormalities such as kyphoscoliosis, genu valgum, radial metaphyseal deformity, and pes cavus. 1,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The deformity is usually of no major functional importance, but the bowing can affect the performance of skilled tasks involving the little finger such as playing the piano. 15 Radiologically, there is a 10°to 50°bowing of the diaphysis only, in the radial and volar directions.…”

The nature and inheritance of Kirner's deformity.

“…From the radiological appearances the primary defect arises on the ventral or ventroradial aspect of the metaphysis. There are no features to suggest an osteochondritis, although others (Thomas, 1936;Wilson, 1952;Taybi, 1963) have held this to be the underlying lesion. Wilson (1952) stated that 'increased density of the terminal phalanx in the early stage [is] followed by a return to normal density in the later stages'.…”

“…There are no features to suggest an osteochondritis, although others (Thomas, 1936;Wilson, 1952;Taybi, 1963) have held this to be the underlying lesion. Wilson (1952) stated that 'increased density of the terminal phalanx in the early stage [is] followed by a return to normal density in the later stages'. However, in the present series there were 8 patients over the age of 30 who were known to have had the deformity since early childhood, and in the 3 who were x-rayed the increased density of the terminal phalanx persisted.…”

Kirner's Deformity:Juvenile Spontaneous Incurving of the Terminal Phalanx of the Fifth Finger

“…The etiological nature of this disturbance is still uncertain; a disorder of the epiphyseal plate combined with a functional mechanism (dominance of the flexor muscles over the extensor group) has been emphasized (Kaufmann & Taillard 1961, Wilson 1952.…”

“…Juvenile osteomalacia (Schmid 1957), aseptic necrosis (Kaufmann & Taillard 1961), osteochondritis of vascular origin (Morbus Koehler) (Taybi 1963, Wilson 1952, or degeneration of the epiphysis due to a defect in enchondral ossification (Staheli et al 1966), have been mentioned as primary causative disorders of the epiphyseal plate.…”