Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping Review
Background: Proximal phalanx fractures of the hand are common and can significantly impact hand function. Conservative treatments, including splinting and dynamic mobilization, are often used, but their efficacy compared to surgical interventions needs thorough evaluation. Methods: A scoping review...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| author | Pasquale Arcuri Paolo Boccolari Mattia Bulli Filippo Scarpelli Danilo Donati Roberto Tedeschi |
| author_facet | Pasquale Arcuri Paolo Boccolari Mattia Bulli Filippo Scarpelli Danilo Donati Roberto Tedeschi |
| author_sort | Pasquale Arcuri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Proximal phalanx fractures of the hand are common and can significantly impact hand function. Conservative treatments, including splinting and dynamic mobilization, are often used, but their efficacy compared to surgical interventions needs thorough evaluation. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by analyzing studies focused on conservative treatments for proximal phalanx fractures in adults. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies with adult populations, conservative management methods, and clearly reported outcomes. Data from eight selected studies were synthesized to evaluate treatment efficacy, patient outcomes, and complication rates. Results: The review found that conservative treatments, including splinting, buddy taping, and dynamic mobilization, were highly effective for stable, extra-articular proximal phalanx fractures. These methods promoted early functional recovery and had high patient satisfaction rates. Studies comparing conservative and surgical treatments indicated excellent outcomes for both, with fewer complications observed in the surgical groups for unstable fractures. Dynamic and traction splints facilitated significant improvements in total active motion (TAM) and grip strength. Younger patients with transverse fractures showed better outcomes with conservative treatments. Conclusions: Conservative management strategies are effective for stable proximal phalanx fractures, promoting satisfactory functional recovery and minimizing complications. Surgical intervention is recommended for unstable or complex fractures to achieve better functional outcomes. Standardized treatment protocols and long-term follow-up are essential to validate these findings and optimize patient care. Further research with larger sample sizes and standardized outcome measures is needed to establish clear guidelines for the conservative management of proximal phalanx fractures in adults. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d5f7d1f0362245699ce86f0161a09624 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-4095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d5f7d1f0362245699ce86f0161a096242025-08-20T02:43:09ZengMDPI AGSurgeries2673-40952025-02-01611210.3390/surgeries6010012Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping ReviewPasquale Arcuri0Paolo Boccolari1Mattia Bulli2Filippo Scarpelli3Danilo Donati4Roberto Tedeschi5Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyPhysical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Policlinico di Modena, 41125 Modena, ItalyPhysical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Policlinico di Modena, 41125 Modena, ItalyPhysical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Policlinico di Modena, 41125 Modena, ItalyPhysical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Policlinico di Modena, 41125 Modena, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyBackground: Proximal phalanx fractures of the hand are common and can significantly impact hand function. Conservative treatments, including splinting and dynamic mobilization, are often used, but their efficacy compared to surgical interventions needs thorough evaluation. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by analyzing studies focused on conservative treatments for proximal phalanx fractures in adults. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies with adult populations, conservative management methods, and clearly reported outcomes. Data from eight selected studies were synthesized to evaluate treatment efficacy, patient outcomes, and complication rates. Results: The review found that conservative treatments, including splinting, buddy taping, and dynamic mobilization, were highly effective for stable, extra-articular proximal phalanx fractures. These methods promoted early functional recovery and had high patient satisfaction rates. Studies comparing conservative and surgical treatments indicated excellent outcomes for both, with fewer complications observed in the surgical groups for unstable fractures. Dynamic and traction splints facilitated significant improvements in total active motion (TAM) and grip strength. Younger patients with transverse fractures showed better outcomes with conservative treatments. Conclusions: Conservative management strategies are effective for stable proximal phalanx fractures, promoting satisfactory functional recovery and minimizing complications. Surgical intervention is recommended for unstable or complex fractures to achieve better functional outcomes. Standardized treatment protocols and long-term follow-up are essential to validate these findings and optimize patient care. Further research with larger sample sizes and standardized outcome measures is needed to establish clear guidelines for the conservative management of proximal phalanx fractures in adults.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4095/6/1/12proximal phalanx fracturesconservative treatmentsplintingdynamic mobilizationhand fractures |
| spellingShingle | Pasquale Arcuri Paolo Boccolari Mattia Bulli Filippo Scarpelli Danilo Donati Roberto Tedeschi Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping Review Surgeries proximal phalanx fractures conservative treatment splinting dynamic mobilization hand fractures |
| title | Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping Review |
| title_full | Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping Review |
| title_fullStr | Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping Review |
| title_short | Optimal Recovery: Unveiling the Success of Conservative Management for Proximal Phalanx Fractures in Adults—A Scoping Review |
| title_sort | optimal recovery unveiling the success of conservative management for proximal phalanx fractures in adults a scoping review |
| topic | proximal phalanx fractures conservative treatment splinting dynamic mobilization hand fractures |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4095/6/1/12 |
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