Radiologic Changes by Early Motion in Neck Fractures of the Fifth Metacarpal Treated with Antegrade Intramedullary Fixation.

BACKGROUND: As intramedullary (IM) fixation is one of the fixation methods used in neck fractures of the fifth metacarpal, an early motion of injured finger can be allowed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether immediate active motion affects the stability of antegrade IM fixation in surgical treatment of neck fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone and to assess related factors. METHODS: Thirty one patients treated by closed reduction and antegrade IM fixation were consecutively enrolled. All patients started active motion of the little finger since 7 postoperative days and only daily activities including writing, typing or washing were allowed until the union of fracture. All fractures were healed within four to eight weeks. The changes of angulation, fifth metacarpal length and tip to head distance of K-wire were compared between immediate postoperative radiographs and radiographs at eight weeks. In addition, the effects by age, gender, initial angulation and comminution of the metacarpal neck were assessed. RESULTS: The average change of angulation was 0.12°, 5th metacarpal length was 1.49mm and tip to head distance of K-wire was 1.31mm. There was no significant difference in the change of angulation (p = 0.137). But, there were significant differences in the change of 5th metacarpal length and tip to head distance of K-wire ([Formula: see text]). The change of angulation was related to a comminution of the metacarpal neck and that of 5th metacarpal length was related to age and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The change of 5th metacarpal length and tip to head distance of K-wire can occur by an early mobilization in the antegrade IM fixation for neck fractures of the fifth metacarpal. However, we thought that an early active motion after surgery is important to increase the patients' satisfaction, even though careful selection of candidates is necessary.

Shaft Fractures of Both Forearm Bones: The Outcomes of Surgical Treatment with Plating Only and Combined Plating and Intramedullary Nailing.

BACKGROUND: Plate fixation is the most commonly used technique for the treatment of shaft fractures of both forearm bones (SFBFBs). However, all fractures are difficult to treat with plate fixation because of soft tissue injuries, fracture patterns, or the patient's condition. The purpose of this study is to compare the functional results of plate fixation only and combined plate and intramedullary (IM) nail fixation in SFBFBs. METHODS: Fifty-nine cases of SFBFBs that were surgically treated from June 2007 to July 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. In this study, 47 cases that were followed up for more than 12 months were included. All SFBFBs were divided into two groups according to the methods used for internal fixation: plate fixation only (group A) and combined plate and IM nail fixation (group B). The fixation methods were determined intraoperatively. Plate fixation was considered as the first option in all cases, but combined plate and IM nail fixation was selected as the second option if it was difficult to be fixed with plate only. Groups A and B comprised of 31 and 16 cases, respectively. The functional results were evaluated by the Grace and Eversmann rating system and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. RESULTS: In groups A and B, a radiologic union was achieved in 30/31 and 14/16 cases and average union time was 11.1 and 17.8 weeks, respectively. According to the Grace and Eversmann rating system, group A had excellent results in 15 cases, good in 14, acceptable in one, and unacceptable in one. Group B had excellent results in three cases, good in nine, acceptable in two, and unacceptable in two. The average DASH score was 7.1 points (range, 0 to 19.2 points) in group A and 15.1 points (range, 0 to 29.6 points) in group B. Three cases of nonunion with unacceptable results achieved a bony union by additional procedures and the functional results of these cases improved to good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS: The functional results and the average union time were superior in group A than in group B. However, we think that combined fixation is a useful method for SFBFBs that cannot be treated with plate fixation only.