Fifth metacarpal neck fractures treated with soft wrap/buddy taping compared to reduction and casting: results of a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial.

Introduction: The majority of fifth metacarpal neck fractures (boxers fracture) are treated conservatively without surgery. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, multicenter trial was to determine if the outcomes of soft wrap and buddy taping (SW) was noninferior to reduction and cast (RC) in boxer's fracture with palmar angulation ≤70° and no rotational deformity.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-eight patients with similar characteristics were prospectively enrolled and randomized at four institutions.