Metacarpal fractures.

Background. The purpose of our study was to evaluate bone union in metacarpal fractures, in terms of the pathomorphic nature of the damage and the use of surgical treatment. Severe multi-tissue damage and fracture with Bennett's dislocation were excluded. Material and methods. At the Clinic of Orthopedics and Traumatology in Lublin, 92 patients were hospitalized from 1991 to 2001 for metacarpal fractures. Most of the fractures had an oblique or spiral course. In 18 patients with associated multi-organ injuries and multiple fractures, non-surgical treatment with plaster casts was applied. In 39 patients surgical treatment was applied. The metacarpal fractures were stabilized with crossed or intramedullary Kirschner wires, microscrews, or plates and screws. Results. In 32 cases we obtained bone union and complete pain-free hand function. Complications occurred in 7 cases: loosening of the union, severance of the extensor tendons, tenodesis of the extensor tendons, and slow bone union. Conclusions. Stabilization of bone fragments with Kirschner wires, a generally available and easy method, can be used in most types of metacarpal fracture.