What is another name for the boutonniere deformity?

The boutonniere deformity is frequently referred to as the buttonhole deformity, which reflects the characteristic shape that results from the injury. This condition occurs due to a central slip rupture of the extensor tendon over the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, leading to flexion at the PIP joint and hyperextension at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. The term "buttonhole" vividly describes how the deformed finger resembles a buttonhole with the extended part acting as the button and the twisted tendon creating the hole of the buttonhole.

The other options do not accurately correlate with the boutonniere deformity. A distal phalanx fracture refers to a break in the bone and is a different injury altogether. Skier’s thumb is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb and has no association with the boutonniere deformity. Venous stasis describes a condition of blood pooling in the veins, which is unrelated to the structural deformities of the fingers. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a comprehensive grasp of orthopedic injuries and their terminology.