Hand Case 17 Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made with plain film imaging of the finger, including PA, lateral and oblique views. The lateral view is particularly important because management is determined by the extent of articular surface involvement. Order a dedicated finger XR rather than a hand XR because the lateral view of the individual fingers on a hand XR are often suboptimal.  

Dorsal plate fractures can have concomitant PIP dislocations. The dorsal plate injury may not be fully appreciated or characterized until the PIP has been reduced on the post reduction film.

See Hand Case 16 for further information about PIP dislocation