J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2001 Jun;36(3):199-206.

Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning in Fracture-Dislocations of Carpometacarpal Joints

• Jeon SJ
• Yoon HK
• Jung KW
• Lee YJ
• Noh KS

Abstract

PURPOSE
There is little information about the treatment of carpometacarpal (CMC) fracture-dislocations. The purpose of this study was to investigate treatment methods and times between diagnosis and surgery in CMC fracture-dislocations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In 18 cases treated by surgery, the 4, 5th CMC joints were found to be the most frequently involved in 13 cases. Comminution of the carpal or metacarpal bone was present in 8 cases. The time to surgery was within 3 days in 10 patients, within 5 days in 6, within 9 days in one patient and more than 4 weeks in one. All the injuries were managed by closed reduction and K-wire fixation except for one which was detected after 4 weeks since initial trauma.
RESULTS
A painless full hand function was restored in 13 cases. Intermittent pain was present in 5 cases in which there was comminution in 4. However, clinically full hand function was restored in 4 cases except for one in whom the treatment was delayed.
CONCLUSION
If the treatment of CMC fracture-dislocation is not delayed a successful result can be gained using the closed method even though comminution occurs.

Keyword

Carpometacarpal joint; Fracture-Dislocations; Closed reduction

MeSH Terms

Carpometacarpal Joints*
Diagnosis
Hand
Humans
Joints