[Surgical treatment by percutaneous pinning of articular fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal (descriptive study of 20 cases)].

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to show the benefits of surgical treatment of intra articular fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal by intermetacarpal double pinning.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

It is a retrospective study of 20 cases of intra-articular fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal treated by percutaneous pinning, between January 2004 and December 2010. All patients had a closed reduction and intermetacarpal double pinning.

RESULTS

After a mean of 19 months, we could review only 18 patients. The overall results were satisfactory, except for two patients who reported intermittent pain with changing weather and intense use of the hand, and a case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome after surgery. The evaluation of results was based on clinical criteria related to pain, mobility and grip strength, and on radiological criteria after analysis of specific hemato-metacarpal radiographs.

CONCLUSION

Intermetacarpal double pinning is a technique of choice in surgical treatment of intra-articular fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal. It ensures good closed reduction and a satisfactory functional result.