Suture Anchor Fixation of Unstable Bony Mallet Injuries of the Hallux

Mallet Toe of the Hallux Treated by Bridging Suture Technique Using Suture Anchors: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…case treated with open reduction and fixation using two Kirschner wires and temporary interphalangeal joint fixation after failed percutaneous treatment [7]. These three case reports showed good clinical results, but the temporary transarticular fixation of the interphalangeal joint with a Kirschner wire and care of the surgical site for a few weeks is inevitable [5] Hong et al reported two cases treated with a suture anchor for reattaching the avulsed fragment without transarticular immobilization of the interphalangeal joint [8]. They reported that a suture anchor was inserted into the fracture bed of the distal phalanx and two drill holes were made into the avulsed fragment.…”

“…They reported that a suture anchor was inserted into the fracture bed of the distal phalanx and two drill holes were made into the avulsed fragment. Thereafter, the fragment was secured with sutures [8]. This technique is applicable when the avulsed fragment is large enough for two drill holes.…”

“…. One case report described a technique using a suture anchor without transarticular immobilization of the interphalangeal joint [8]. We present a case treated by the suture bridging technique using two suture anchors.…”

“…The underlying mechanism of injury is the plantarflexion of distal phalanx to the extended interphalangeal joint similar to that in the mallet injury of the finger [2] [3]. It is a rare injury and its treatment has been reported only in six case reports [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. These treatments included conservative therapy with a splint to prevent plantarflexion of the hallux [1] [4], Kirschner wire fixation similar to that in bony mallet finger [5] [6] [7], or open reduction and internal fixation with a suture anchor [8].…”

“…It is a rare injury and its treatment has been reported only in six case reports [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. These treatments included conservative therapy with a splint to prevent plantarflexion of the hallux [1] [4], Kirschner wire fixation similar to that in bony mallet finger [5] [6] [7], or open reduction and internal fixation with a suture anchor [8]. It is difficult to immobilize the interphalangeal joint in extension with a splint unlike in the mallet injury of the finger [5].…”