Abstract
The surgical soft tissue release of extension contracture at metacarpophalangeal (MP)
joint is technically easy; however, the preventive hand therapy after surgery is really
difficult in clinical practice. Congenital MP joint contracture, especially little
finger, is also difficult to spread its limited range of motion (ROM). Here, we present
a patient with a congenital MP joint contracture of the little finger managed with
dynamic external fixator (DEF). A 21-year-old male irritated from limited ROM associated
with pain of the right little finger of more than 1 year. The symptom started after
trauma on his hand while playing lacrosse. Further examination revealed that his MP
joint was congenitally contracted. To address this pathology, DEF followed by orthotic
therapy was done. Two years after the procedure and therapy, the MP joint ROM of the
finger surpassed that of the contralateral unaffected digit without pain and recurrence.
The patient was able to return to his sports of lacrosse.
Keywords
congenital extension contracture - metacarpophalangeal joint - little finger - external
fixator - hand therapy
