Surgical and Functional Outcome of Metacarpal fracture


Vol 2| Issue 1 | Jan - Apr 2014 | page 7-10 | Deshmukh G, Rocha S, Shyam A, Sancheti P


Author: Gajanan Deshmukh[1], Steve Rocha[1], Ashok Shyam[1], Parag Sancheti[1]

[1]Sancheti Institute, Pune, India
Institute at which research was conducted: Sancheti Institute, Pune, India.
University Affiliation of Thesis: MUHS Nashik University,
Year of Acceptance: 2014.

Address of Correspondence
Dr Gajanan Deshmukh
Department of Orthopaedics, Sancheti institute, Pune, India
Email: gajanan9690@ gmail.com


 Abstract

Background: Fractures of the metacarpal and phalanges are common and constitute 10% of all fractures. “Too often these fractures are treated as minor injuries and major disabilities occur” underlying the wrong practice of considering these fractures as trivial and worthy of being treated by the junior most resident.
Methods: 50 patients of metacarpal fracture (43males and 7 females),all were treated using k wires ,ao screws and plates and evaluated with DASH ,VAS AND ROM at 3 months ,6 months and 1 year.
Results: All patients at end of 1 year showed improvement in functional score irerespective of implant used .
Conclusion: All patients treated surgically of metacarpal fracture showed good functional outcome at the end of 1 year .
Key Words: Metacarpal fracture,k wire, ao screws.

                                                        THESIS SUMMARY                                                             

Introduction

Fractures of the metacarpal and phalanges are common and constitute 10% of all fractures. “Too often these fractures are treated as minor injuries and major disabilities occur” underlying the wrong practice of considering these fractures as trivial and worthy of being treated by the junior most resident1,2,3.

Epidemiology
Thirty to forty percentages of all fractures in the hand occur in the metacarpal. Border metacarpals (1st and 5th) are more commonly involved, the base being more commonly involved in the former and neck in the latter. Diaphyseal fractures are common in non border metacarpals. Life time incidence of metacarpal fractures is 2.5%. No where in the body, the form and function are so closely related to each other than in hand. So any skeletal injury in the hand is likely to alter the function4,5.

Surgical anatomy
Metacarpal bones are concave, short tubular bones with in built longitudinal arch and a collective transverse arch. The metacarpal bases form the CMC joints with the carpal bones, the first being the most mobile, the 2nd and 3rd being most rigid and the 4th and 5th being relatively mobile. The saw tooth articular arrangement of the 2nd and 3rd CMC joints along with reinforcement of the capsule by FCR anteriorly and ECRL, ECRB posteriorly make the joints extremely rigid and immobile and any disruption of these joints indicate a high energy injury. The attachment of APL and ECU on the base of the 1st and 5th makes these joints more prone for unstable fracture dislocations.The cam-shaped head of the metacarpal bones makes the collateral ligaments relaxed in extension and stretched in flexion making it safer to immobilise the MP joints in Flexion (ideally 70-90°) than in extension. This flexed position of the MP joint is also the most stable position of the MP joint in power pinch and grip..The volar plate of the MP joints is a cartilaginous structure which is thicker at the phalangeal attachment and thinner at the metacarpal attachment. The lateral extension of the volar plate constitutes the deep transverse metacarpal ligament which provides the additional volar stability of the MP joint.6. Metacarpal bones are subcutaneous bones dorsally with a gentle volar concavity. Fracture of the shaft or the neck of the metacarpal caused either due to direct or axial loading injury will mostly result in dorsal apex angulation due to the deforming forces of interossei and other volarly placed muscles. For this reason when these fractures are treated conservatively, the MP joint needs to be immobilised in flexion to relax the lumbricals and the interossei.

General considerations
“Hand fractures can be complicated by deformity from no treatment, stiffness from overtreatment, and both deformity and stiffness from poor treatment”- A fracture is considered functionally stable when during clinical examination it is possible to actively move the fractured digit by 50% of range of motion painlessly. The fracture is considered radiologically stable when the radiographs of the fractured fragment in two planes show minimum angulation and displacement. A fracture is considered unstable if it can not be reduced or maintained in an anatomic or near anatomic position without implant fixation when the hand is placed in the safe or functional position. The four factors that determine stability are 1) external force, 2) muscle imbalance 3) fracture configuration or personality 4) integrity of soft tissue including periosteal sleeve.

Aims and Objectives

1.To study the various mechanism and pattern of metacarpal fractures and their surgical management

2. To study the functional outcome of metacarpal fractures treated surgically.

Methods

This was a prospective and retrospective study of the patients admitted and treated in our hospital during the period between Jan2012 to December 2013. In this study we studied patients with metacarpal fractures treated surgically. All patients with metacarpal fractuures were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria and those willing to participate in the study were included. This protocol was approved by Institutional rieview board.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
1. All patients with metacarpal fractures

EXCLUSION CRITERIA
1. Pathological fracture
2. Crush injury to hand

METHODOLOGY
All patients with metacarpal fractures were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria and those willing to participate in the study were included. Those who meet up with the criteria were studied them during the peri-operative & post operative period. Post operative follow up to asses union radiologically will be done at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year. During each follow up repeat X-rays and assessment of complications if any was documented. Improvement in range of motion at metacarpophalengeal joint was evaluated at each follow up visits.
During their each visit, we measure the following parameters-
1. Hand Xrays
2. DASH Score.
3. Range of Motion
4. VAS (Visual Analog Score) for pain.

Results

50 patients were treated using different implants such as k wires and screws and plated and followed at end of 1 year there was significant improvement in functional outcome at end of 1 year irrespective of implant used.

Conclusion

Most metacarpal fractures can be treated conservatively.
Patient with multiple fractures, open fratactures ,intraarticular requie operative reduction and stabilization to obtain the optimal position for bone healing and to allow early movement.

Clinical Message

Operative intervention is treatment of choice for early recovery and mobilization of metacarpal fracture.

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How to Cite this Article: Deshmukh G, Rocha S, Shyam A, Sancheti P. Surgical and Functional outcome of metacarpal fracture . Journal Medical Thesis 2014 Jan-Apr; 2(1):7-10

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