Fractures of the metacarpal neck of the little finger

• Published in: Injury Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 189 - 192
• Main Author: Lowdon, I.M.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1986; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Female; Finger Injuries - complications; Finger Injuries - therapy; Follow-Up Studies; Fractures, Closed - complications; Fractures, Closed - therapy; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Male; Medical sciences; Metacarpus - injuries; Prospective Studies; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Metacarpus; Fracture; Hand; Trauma
• ISSN: 0020-1383; 1879-0267
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-1383(86)90332-3

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.