Professional paper

Open reduction and internal fixation of isolated 4th metacarpal shaft fracture in recreation athletes: single center results

Petra Jurina ; Clinical Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia, Clinic for Traumatology, Clinical Department of Traumatology
Mario Malović ; Clinical Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia, Clinic for Traumatology, Clinical Department of Traumatology
Stjepan Ćurić ; Clinical Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia, Clinic for Traumatology, Clinical Department of Traumatology
Petra Bonačić-Bartolin ; University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
Tatjana Beker ; Clinical Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia, Clinical Department of Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive care
Narcis Hudorović ; Clinical Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia, Clinical Department of Vascular surgery

Abstract

Background: Metacarpal fractures are common injuries, which appear in the general population, as well as in the population of athletes.
Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to show a twofold series of isolated 4th metacarpal shaft fractures exclusively in the population of recreation athletes, which were surgically treated and the time frame of their return to everyday activities according to applied measures of treatment and postoperative care.
Study design: Retrospective observational study.
Methods: A retrospective single center study was conducted, including 49 patients (37 male, 12 female), mean age 25.7, with isolated 4th metacarpal shaft fracture, which occurred during the two-year period from January 2010 to December 2011. Inclusion criteria were: isolated dislocated 4th metacarpal shaft fracture, acute injury with onset no longer than 10 days before being admitted to hospital, recreation athletes and participants younger than 40 years of age. Injury mechanisms were direct contact or punch (26), fall (14) and rotational motion of the hand (9). Patients were surgically treated with internal fixation with low profile plates (20) or with 2 or 3 (29) mini-screws. Patients followed protocol for one-day surgery and afterwards standard rehabilitation protocol with early mobilization.
Results: The mean follow-up of the patients was 12 months. Average total value of postoperative MCP flexion was 54.7 degrees and MCP extension was 8.97 degrees and total value of postrehabilitational MCP flexion was 88.97 degrees and MCP extension 17.04 degrees. No complications were noted, all fractures healed, without any signs of infection or malunion.
Conclusion: Surgical treatment of the 4th metacarpal shaft fracture with low profile plates and mini-screws is a good technique that represents rigid fixation and provides fast recovery to pre-injury range of movements. The quality of life is enhanced due to fast recovery and return to normal daily and sports activities. Such treatment indicates profitability, hence to a one-day surgery, decreasing treatment costs and resulting in high beneficial aspects for patients.

Keywords

4th metacarpal shaft; fracture; recreation athletes; early return

Hrčak ID:

167221

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/167221

Publication date:

30.9.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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