The 'Te' Technique for Restoring Fingertip Stability Post Traumatic Acro-Osteolysis - A Report and Review of Management Options

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the distal phalanx can result in bony non-union, resulting in acro-osteolysis and subsequent fingertip instability due to soft tissue dissociation from bone. Conventional methods of treating this involve osseous fixation, but do not address the laxity and lack of soft tissue stability with bone. Current techniques also do not address the management of such conditions if bony fragments are too small to reduce. We present a novel method that addresses both soft tissue and bony deformity in this condition. METHODS: A review of current techniques in the literature is provided as well as an in depth description of our technique using a representative case. RESULTS: Follow-up results and photographs are presented in this article. Functional assessment is also provided in the article as part of the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is applicable for cases where severe resorption of distal phalanx has occurred, leaving little or no purchase for bony fixation. Hence, the technique can not only be applied post traumatic acro-osteolysis, but also other conditions where secondary soft tissue lengthening occurs and fingertip instability is formed as a result.