Surgical Fixation of Fourth and Fifth Metacarpal Shaft Fractures with Flexible Intramedullary Absorbable Rods: Early Clinical Outcomes and Implications.
- Author:
Ge XIONG
1
;
Zi-Run XIAO
;
Shi-Gong GUO
;
Wei ZHENG
;
Lu-Fei DAI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Absorbable Implants; Adolescent; Adult; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; methods; Fractures, Bone; surgery; Humans; Internal Fixators; Male; Metacarpal Bones; injuries; surgery; Range of Motion, Articular; physiology; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2015;128(21):2851-2855
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUNDTo avoid the irritation of tendons and soft tissues as well as hardware-related problems, we designed an intramedullary fixation with bioabsorbable rods for the treatment of the metacarpal shaft fractures.
METHODSFive patients with nine shaft fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpi were treated with intramedullary absorbable implants and followed up with an average of 4.2 months postoperatively.
RESULTSAt final follow-up, all patients achieved fracture union with no signs of inflammatory or subcutaneous effusion. There was no shortening, angulatory, or rotatory deformity. There was almost full active extension range of motion (ROM) of the metacarpophalangeal joints while the active flexion ROM of these joints was 80.7 ± 9.6°. Compared with the contralateral hand, the grip strength of the injured hand was 94.0 ± 9.6%. X-rays showed that the arch of the second to fifth metacarpal heads was smooth. There were no intramedullary lytic changes and soft tissue swellings.
CONCLUSIONThe intramedullary absorbable implants are a safe, simple, and practical treatment for fourth and fifth metacarpal fractures with good early clinical outcomes and no significant complications.
