Surgical Management of a Delayed Presentation of Floating First Metacarpal with Multiple Fracture Dislocations: A Case Report.

CASE: A 23-year-old man presented with a 2-month-old injury involving a volar base metacarpal fracture dislocation of carpometacarpal joint (CMC), metacarpophalangeal joint (MP) dislocation, floating metacarpal, and proximal phalanx base fracture. Treatment involved open reduction of volar base metacarpal's fracture and CMC dislocation, MP joint reduction, collateral ligament repair, and proximal phalanx fixation with plates and screws. A modified Eaton-Littler procedure with flexor carpi radialis tendon enhanced CMC joint stability. At 6 weeks, fractures had healed well, achieving good thumb motion. One-year follow-up showed no arthritis or dislocation.

CONCLUSION: Thumb injuries are relatively common and can involve complex fractures and dislocations. Open reduction of the delayed fractures, dislocations, and ligament repair and reconstruction can lead to successful outcome.