During the period 1 September 1977 to 1 March 1978, 200 patients with lesions of the volar plate without abnormal hyperextension or lateral mobility in the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers participated in a prospective investigation in the Casualty Department, Odense Hospital. The patients were allotted to treatment either with an aluminium splint for one or three weeks or plaster of Paris immobilization for one or three weeks, at random. Follow-up examination was possible in 100% of the 181 cases, which were not excluded during the first week. The results of treatment were found to be independent of present bony avulsions from the base of the middle phalanx. Patients in work experienced more numerous sequelae than did school children. Patients treated with plaster of Paris for three weeks experienced significantly more discomfort due to the plaster and had significantly more days of sick-leave than patients treated with an aluminium splint for one week. A total of 40% experienced sequelae including three patients who experienced marked discomfort. All three patients, however, were completely free from symptoms one year after the trauma. The authors conclude that lesions of the volar plate of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers may be treated adequately with a dorsal aluminium splint for one week. This treatment involves economical advantages as compared to the previous standard of treatment of the lesion.

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