Figure hangman

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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