Intramedullary splinting or conservative treatment for displaced fractures of the little finger metacarpal neck? A prospective study.

Forty patients with a 30° to 70° palmar displacement of a little finger metacarpal neck fracture were treated either with closed reduction and intramedullary splinting, or conservatively without reduction. Functional mobilization was started after 1 week in both groups. A radiological and clinical assessment of flexion and extension of the small finger metacarpophalangeal joint was done at 2 and 6 weeks, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. In addition patient satisfaction and grip strength were recorded at 12 months. No statistically significant differences in range of motion and grip strength were found between the two groups. Patient satisfaction and the appearance were superior in the surgically treated group. We conclude that intramedullary splinting for displaced fractures of the little finger metacarpal neck offers an aesthetic, but not a functional advantage.