[Biomechanical research of antegrade intramedullary fixation for the metacarpal fractures].

Objective: To study the biomechanical characteristics of antegrade intramedullary fixation for metacarpal fractures.

Methods: From March to May 2008, both the 4th and 5th metacarpals from 25 formalin embalmed cadaver hands had three-point bending test after transverse osteotomy followed by randomly fixation with one of the following three methods: plate and screw, antegrade intramedullary K-wire, crossed K-wire. While, both the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals had torsional loading test after the same management as the 4th and 5th metacarpal had undergone.