Elsevier

Injury

Volume 17, Issue 3, May 1986, Pages 189-192
Injury

Fractures of the metacarpal neck of the little finger

https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-1383(86)90332-3Get rights and content

Abstract

A prospective study of 73 patients with fractures of the metacarpal neck of the little finger is reported. Fifty-seven (78 per cent) of the patients were followed up between 1 and 2 years after the injury. Forty-three (75 per cent) of these patients complained of symptoms, though only one patient considered himself disabled. The normal head/shaft angle at the fifth metacarpal neck measured in 12 control subjects as viewed on an oblique radiograph was 26 °. The importance of allowing for this normal angulation when assessing the angulation at the fracture is discussed. After manipulation, the corrected position of the fracture is not adequately maintained by a volar plaster slab. No definite relationship between the presence of symptoms and the residual angulation at the fracture site was demonstrated. Manipulation of these fractures is thus seldom indicated.

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