CHRONIC FLEXION CONTRACTURE OF PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT TREATED WITH THE COMPASS HINGE EXTERNAL FIXATOR. A CONSECUTIVE SERIES OF 27 CASES

Twenty-seven chronic flexion contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint were treated with the Compass ® hinge external fixator without open surgery. The fixator was removed after a mean of 33 (range, 14–68) days. The mean time from injury to operation was 4 (range, 1–19) years and all patients were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 21 (range, 12–50) months. The mean extension gain was 38° (range, 0–70°), and the mean flexion–extension arc improved by 42° (range, 0–80°). Complications included superficial pin-track infection in 11 cases and pin loosening in four cases.