Original article

Treatment-related and clinical predictors of extended recovery after fingertip injury: a single-centre experience

Authors

• • Almir Alic View profile of Almir Alic. alic.dr.almir@gmail.com Email Almir Alic. (compose email, opens in email app.) Almir Alic ORCID profile. (opens in new tab)
  • • Conceptualization
    • Formal Analysis
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Validation
    • Visualization
    • Writing - Original Draft
    • Writing - Review & Editing
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  • Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Emir Begagić View profile of Emir Begagić. Emir Begagić ORCID profile. (opens in new tab)
  • • Conceptualization
    • Formal Analysis
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Validation
    • Visualization
    • Writing - Original Draft
    • Writing - Review & Editing
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  • School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Anhel Koluh
  • • Formal Analysis
    • Investigation
    • Methodology
    • Supervision
    • Writing - Review & Editing
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  • Department of General Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Ibrahim Sobo
  • • Methodology
    • Project Administration
    • Resources
    • Validation
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  • Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Savan Kuridža
  • • Formal Analysis
    • Methodology
    • Project Administration
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  • Department of General Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Mirza Huremović
  • • Methodology
    • Project Administration
    • Resources
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  • Department of Emergency Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate whether treatment approach and Allen’s classification are associated with treatment duration after fingertip injury and to identify predictors of prolonged recovery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 91 patients treated for fingertip injuries at Cantonal Hospital Zenica (January 2024 – December 2024). Injuries were classified using Allen’s system, and treatment duration was grouped as 7–25, 26–35, or 36–90 days. 

Results: The cohort was predominantly male (89.0%), with a median age of 47 years (IQR 36–71). Median treatment duration was 24 days (IQR 15–33). Longer treatment duration was associated with exposed distal phalanx (p = 0.016), type 2 diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), and treatment approach (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, osteosynthesis compared with suture (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.30–12.63) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.22–11.72) were associated with prolonged treatment in exploratory multivariable analysis (36–90 days). 

Conclusion: Treatment approach and selected comorbidities should be considered alongside injury classification when anticipating recovery duration; however, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the limited number of prolonged-treatment events and diabetic patients.

Keywords: finger injuries, postoperative complications, prognosis, surgical procedures

How to Cite: Alic, A. , Begagić, E. , Koluh, A. , Sobo, I. , Kuridža, S. & Huremović, M. (2026) “Treatment-related and clinical predictors of extended recovery after fingertip injury: a single-centre experience”, Medicinski glasnik. 23(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.17392/medglas-2183-23-2