The "antenna" Procedure for the "hook-nail" Deformity

The hook-nail deformity is a relatively common problem after fingertip amputations. It is usually ignored but can be quite disabling. This deformity can be corrected by a carefully planned operation. Most of the curved nail plate is removed, the pulp is reflected from the distal phalanx out to a normal contour, and then the full thickness of the nail bed is elevated off the distal phalanx and splinted by multiple small Kirschner pins in a straight position. The defect created is covered with a cross finger flap.