FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME

A. Field; J.G. Horne

doi:10.1302/0301-620X.85BSUPP_III.0850209c

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FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME

A. Field
J.G. Horne

FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME

Field A, Horne J. FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME. Orthop Procs. 2003;85-B(SUPP_III):209-209. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.85BSUPP_III.0850209c

Field, A., and J.G. Horne. “FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME.” Orthopaedic Proceedings, vol. 85-B, no. SUPP_III, 2003, pp. 209-209., https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.85BSUPP_III.0850209c

Field, A., & Horne, J. (2003). FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 85-B(SUPP_III), 209-209. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.85BSUPP_III.0850209c

Field, A. and Horne, J. (2003) “FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME.” Orthopaedic Proceedings, 85-B(SUPP_III), pp. 209-209. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.85BSUPP_III.0850209c

Field, A., and J.G. Horne. “FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME.” Orthopaedic Proceedings 85-B, no. SUPP_III (2003): 209-209. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.85BSUPP_III.0850209c

Field A, Horne J. FRACTURES OF THE NECK OF THE FIFTH METACARPAL, FRACTURE ANGLE MEASUREMENT AND SUBJECTIVE OUTCOME. Orthop Procs. 2003 Mar 1;85-B(SUPP_III):209-209. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.85BSUPP_III.0850209c

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the outcome of fractures of the fifth metacarpal neck and to develop an accurate method of assessing fracture angulation.

Forty-two patients who were available for review were assessed using a patient questionnaire, assessing range of movement, cosmesis, pain and strength. A trigonometric method of determining true fracture angulation from AP and oblique radiographs was developed. There were 36 males and 6 females with an average age of 23.4 years, with a minimum follow up of 12 months. Patients with fractures angulated more than 45 degrees in whom reduction was not performed had a significantly lower score for grip strength and function. 32 patients reported a mild cosmetic deformity. The method of reduction and the method and duration of immobilisation did not correlate with the final outcome. A phantom was constructed that confirmed the accuracy of the method of calculating true fracture angulation from the oblique radiographs.

Fractures of the fifth metacarpal neck if not reduced to a true angulation of less than 45 degrees produce an unsatisfactory outcome. A method of assessing true angulation has been developed.

Correspondence should be addressed to the editorial secretary: Associate Professor Jean-Claude Theis, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand.