Functional treatment of closed boutonnière deformity using a dorsal digito-palmar dynamic extension splint

We advise dynamic extensor splintage put on as early as possible within the first 6 weeks after the diagnosis of boutonniere deformity. This splintage runs from the dorsal aspect of the hand to the DIP joint which is left free to flex actively. This apparatus is left on for at least six weeks post injury. Sixteen patients have been treated in this way. Seven of them were monitored carefully. Only one had a bad result with DIP flexion still preserved. The others averaged a mean extension loss of 23 degrees, and no loss of extension in DIP joints. Active flexion both in PIP and DIP was perfectly preserved. The functional treatment without surgery seems to be a good technique in management of fresh rupture of the extensor mechanism in PIP joints.