Treatment of 5th Metacarpal Neck Fracture Using Percutaneous Transverse Fixation with K-Wires

Jae-Hak Jung; Kwan-Hee Lee; Yong-Ju Kim; Woo-Jin Lee; Sung-Hyun Choi

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2012.25.4.317

Journal List > J Korean Fract Soc > v.25(4) > 1037897

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Jung, Lee, Kim, Lee, and Choi: Treatment of 5th Metacarpal Neck Fracture Using Percutaneous Transverse Fixation with K-Wires

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2012; 25(4): 317-322.

Published online: 19 October 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2012.25.4.317

Treatment of 5th Metacarpal Neck Fracture Using Percutaneous Transverse Fixation with K-Wires

Jae-Hak Jung, M.D., Kwan-Hee Lee, M.D., Yong-Ju Kim, M.D., Woo-Jin Lee, M.D., Sung-Hyun Choi, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Red Cross Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kwan-Hee Lee, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Red Cross Hospital, 9, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-747, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2002-8392, Fax: 82-2-2002-8398, 0428joy@naver.com

Received 23 December 2011 Revised 13 February 2012 Accepted 26 May 2012

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the radiologic and clinical results of percutaneous transverse fixation with K-wires for 5th metacarpal neck fracture.

Materials and Methods

Between January 2007 and September 2010, 18 patients with a 5th metacarpal neck fracture, who underwent operative treatment, were included in this study. The surgical method was percutaneous transverse fixation using K-wires. We evaluated fracture angulation in oblique radiographs preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up, and used SPSS to perform statistical analysis. We also performed clinical evaluation using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.

Results

All of the 18 cases were completely united, and in the oblique radiographs, the angulation was corrected from 50.69° to 11.68°. The average difference between postoperative and final follow-up angulations was 0.14°, which was statistically insignificant. Clinically, the DASH score was 1.030 and no complications were observed.

Conclusion

Percutaneous transverse fixation using K-wires could be one of the best ways to treat a 5th metacarpal neck fracture because of its simple method and low rate of complications.

Keywords: 5th Metacarpal bone, Neck fracture, K-wires, Percutaneous transverse fixation

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

(A) Preoperative anteroposterior and (B) oblique radiographs of the hand of a 30-year-old man, showing a 5th metacarpal neck fracture.

Fig. 2

(A) Postoperative anteroposterior and (B) oblique radiographs after fixation with K-wires.

Fig. 3

(A) Radiograph anteroposterior and (B) oblique views made 4 weeks postoperatively showing K-wire removal.

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