Figure Legend: Phalangeal neck fractures
are sometimes referred to as "hangman's fracture", either because the break
is through the "neck" of the bone, or more importantly because the PA x-ray
may be deceptively normal (1a,2a), despite extension rotation of the distal
fragment, as in these cases, rotated 30 (1) and 70 degrees (2). Ninety
degree rotation may occur with little change on the PA view. Such
fractures are prone to avascular necrosis of the distal part, even more
so following later attempts at corrective osteotomy.
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