Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Feb 22.
Published in final edited form as: J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013 Feb;21(2):88–98. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-21-02-88

Figure 4.

Figure 4

Illustrations of proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) fracture-dislocation patterns. A, Dorsal PIPJ fracture-dislocation. The middle phalanx (P2) is dislocated or subluxated dorsally, and the volar lip is fractured at its base. The “V” sign (arrow) indicates dorsal instability. Note that the volar plate (VP) attachment is involved in the fracture. B, Volar PIPJ fracture-dislocation. The middle phalanx (P2) is dislocated or subluxated volarly and the dorsal lip is fractured. Note the involvement of the central slip attachment (Ext) in the fracture. C, Pilon injury to the PIPJ. The buttressing effects of both the volar and dorsal lips of the middle phalanx are lost. There is comminution of the entire articular surface, and the stabilizing effects of both the VP and central slip are lost, making the injury grossly unstable. P1 = proximal phalanx