Physeal phalangeal fracture with flexor tendon entrapment. A case report and review of the literature.

A typical phalangeal epiphyseal fracture separation in a 12-year-old girl was complicated by a relatively unusual irreducible growth plate injury. Various tissues may become interposed between displaced phalangeal structures preventing realignment. Frequently, the flexor tendon has been implicated as the cause of complex joint dislocations or fracture-dislocations of the digits. However, entrapment of the flexor tendon by the displaced base of a buttonholed phalangeal metaphysis separated from its related epiphysis is quite rare. Treatment required early recognition to avoid further injury, open identification of the tissue derangement, and careful reduction to restore normal function.