Longitudinal pinning of fractures of the base of the first metacarpal.

From an experience of 120 fractures of the base of the first metacarpal bone, the authors evaluated the functional results of in 40 patients followed-up. Most of these patients had been treated by Bunden's method of longitudinal pinning. If one eliminates the comminuted fractures and the Bennett's fractures with a single large fragment treated by screw fixation the method of longitudinal pinning restores normal function to the first interdigitalspace Furthermore, the development of secondary arthrosis of the trapezo-metacarpal joint is rare.