Rolando Fracture

Excerpt

The term Rolando fracture was described for the first time in 1910 by Silvio Rolando, an Italian surgeon. The eponym is used to describe a comminuted articular fracture of the base of the thumb metacarpal, while the name given partial articular fractures at the volar-ulnar base of the thumb metacarpal is a Bennett fracture. The former describes more comminuted intra-articular patterns through the base, generating the classically described "Y" or "T" morphologies. The distinguishing feature of the latter is its 2-part articular fracture pattern including the nondisplaced volar-ulnar fragment which is held in place by its ligamentous attachment to the trapezium, known as the anterior oblique ligament.

Rolando fracture patterns are typically represented by a transverse articular component, which extends between the diaphysis and epiphysis in addition to an associated longitudinal intra-articular fracture line that divides the epiphysis into two fragments, one volar and the other dorsal, often resulting in a central depression of the articular surface. Commonly and contemporarily speaking, all intra-articular fractures with multiple fragments of the base of the first metacarpal classify as Rolando-type fracture patterns.