Swan neck deformity is defined by which of the following joint involvement and posture?

Study for the NBCOT Hand Injuries and Intervention Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

Swan neck deformity is defined by which of the following joint involvement and posture?

Swan neck deformity is defined by the finger being held in hyperextension at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) with flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP). This pattern results from disruption of the extensor mechanism around the PIP, often due to injury to the volar plate or imbalance of the lateral bands, causing the PIP to hyperextend while the DIP remains flexed. The choice that describes PIP hyperextension with DIP flexion matches this hallmark posture most directly, making it the best description. Other options point to different patterns—for example, a pure MCP issue or a fracture—while boutonniere deformity presents as PIP flexion with DIP extension, not the swan neck pattern.

Swan neck deformity is defined by the finger being held in hyperextension at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) with flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP). This pattern results from disruption of the extensor mechanism around the PIP, often due to injury to the volar plate or imbalance of the lateral bands, causing the PIP to hyperextend while the DIP remains flexed. The choice that describes PIP hyperextension with DIP flexion matches this hallmark posture most directly, making it the best description. Other options point to different patterns—for example, a pure MCP issue or a fracture—while boutonniere deformity presents as PIP flexion with DIP extension, not the swan neck pattern.

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