Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39751841›Full record

SynthesisArchives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery2025

Kirners deformity - a systematic review and surgery recommendations.

Tim Fülling, Carsten Baade, Adrian Dragu, Antek Nicklas

Abstract readSystematic ReviewCase Reports
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Approach to mallet finger injury: Practical guide for Canadian primary care physicians.Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien · 2026
    Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Tim FüllingAbteilung für Plastische und Handchirurgie UniversitätsCentrum für Orthopädie, Unfall- & Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Carsten BaadeHelios Weißeritztal-Kliniken GmbH, Freital, Germany.
Adrian DraguAbteilung für Plastische und Handchirurgie UniversitätsCentrum für Orthopädie, Unfall- & Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Antek NicklasAbteilung für Plastische und Handchirurgie UniversitätsCentrum für Orthopädie, Unfall- & Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. antek.nicklas@uniklinikum-dresden.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundKirner deformity is a rare anomaly of the little finger in adolescents, characterized by a deformity of the distal phalanx and a radiologically L-shaped epiphysis, along with palmar and radial angulation of the distal phalanx. Due to the rarity of these pathological findings, there are no systematic literature reviews available. This work serves as an overview of the clinical presentation, frequency and age distributions, as well as possible conservative and surgical treatment options.

methodsWe present five cases of patients with Kirner's deformity of the little finger who underwent surgical treatment. A partial tenotomy of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon from the metaphyseal/diaphyseal distal phalanx was performed. In one case, a dorsal epiphysiodesis was also carried out. Additionally, a systematic review of the literature on Kirner's deformity was conducted, summarizing the prevalence, previously used surgical treatment options, and epidemiological data.

resultsIn the presented cases, the detachment of the FDP tendon and dorsal epiphysiodesis resulted in a good functional and aesthetic outcome. Regarding the epidemiological distribution of Kirner deformity, it is noted that significantly more females are affected than males (63% vs. 36%). The average age at presentation in the respective clinic was 9.36 years (± 2.5). In more than half of all reported cases, the deformity was bilateral. Surgical intervention was performed in only 7.4% of cases, which included FDP detachment or corrective osteotomies. More than 90% of patients were treated conservatively.

conclusionKirner's deformity is a rare condition affecting adolescents. In cases where functional limitations or pain symptoms are present, we recommend surgical intervention via detachment of the FDP tendon. If the deformity is an incidental finding without functional or aesthetic limitations, conservative therapy with a corrective splint can be initiated. From our perspective, early surgical treatment before the age of 12 improves both the long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Indexed as

Hand Deformities, CongenitalAdolescentChildFemaleHumansMaleDystelephalangyFinger deformityHand surgeryKirners deformitySurgery recommendations

Identifiers

PMID39751841
PMCPMC11698779

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.