Early unprotected return to contactsport after metacarpal fixation in professional athletes

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume Vol. 99-B; no. 10; pp. 1343 - 1347
• Main Authors: Yalizis, M A, Ek E T H, Anderson, H, Couzens, G, Hoy, G A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Fractures
• ISSN: 2049-4394; 2049-4408
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.99B10.BJJ-2016-0686.R3

AimsTo determine whether an early return to sport in professionalAustralian Rules Football players after fixation of a non-thumbmetacarpal fracture was safe and effective.Patients and MethodsA total of 16 patients with a mean age of 25 years (19 to 30)identified as having a non-thumb metacarpal fracture underwent openreduction and internal plate and screw fixation. We compared theplayers’ professional performance statistics before and after theinjury to determine whether there was any deterioration in theirpost-operative performance.ResultsOf the 16, 12 sustained their fracture during the season: theirmean time to return to unrestricted professional play was two weeks(1 to 5). All except two of the 48 player performance variablesshowed no reduction in performance post-operatively.ConclusionOur data suggest that professional athletes who sustained a non-thumbmetacarpal fracture can safely return to professional play withoutrestriction two weeks after internal fixation.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1343–7.