To explore the clinical efficacy of Kirschner wire back compression, elastic fixation and double clips in the treatment of bony mallet fingers and to evaluate the three kinds of surgical methods.

From June 2011 to May 2016, 96 patients with fresh closed bony mallet fingers were treated by the methods of Kirschner wire back compression (group A), elastic fixation (group B) and double clips (group C). According to Wehbe and Schneider classification, 37 cases were typeⅠa, 28 cases were typeⅠb, 19 cases were typeⅡa, and 12 cases were typeⅡb. The indications, postoperative complications, fracture healing time and treatment effects of the three methods were compared.

Postoperative primary healing was achieved in all the patients. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 32 months with an average of 15.6 months. The X-ray film showed that all the fractures healed at the last follow-up. The average healing time was (6.0±0.6) weeks in group A, (5.6±0.7) weeks in group B, and (5.7±0.5) weeks in group C. According to the evaluation of TAM system, the excellent and good rate was 86.2% in group A, 92.3% in group B and 92.0% in group C.

Each of the three operation methods has advantages and disadvantages. There are differences in the operation indications, postoperative complications and fracture healing time. Their clinical effects are equivalent, and can achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of bony mallet fingers.

Comparative effectiveness research; Internal fixators; Bony mallet fingers; Kirschner wire