Current Outcomes and Treatments of Complex Phalangeal and Metacarpal Fractures

Patricia K Wellborn; Andrew D Allen; Reid W Draeger

doi:10.1016/j.hcl.2023.02.002

Current Outcomes and Treatments of Complex Phalangeal and Metacarpal Fractures

Hand Clin. 2023 Aug;39(3):251-263. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2023.02.002. Epub 2023 Mar 15.

Authors

Patricia K Wellborn¹, Andrew D Allen¹, Reid W Draeger²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 130 Mason Farm Road, CB# 7055, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7055, USA.
² Department of Orthopaedics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 130 Mason Farm Road, CB# 7055, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7055, USA. Electronic address: reid_draeger@med.unc.edu.

PMID: 37453755
DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2023.02.002

Abstract

Phalangeal and metacarpal fractures that require operative treatment have documented complications in around 50% of patients. The most common of these complications are stiffness and malunion. These can be highly challenging problems for the hand surgeon. In this article, we discuss complications after phalangeal and metacarpal fractures and treatment strategies for these complications.

Keywords: Complications; Fracture; Malunion; Metacarpal; Nonunion; Phalanx; Stiffness.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Finger Phalanges* / injuries
Finger Phalanges* / surgery
Fracture Fixation, Internal
Fractures, Bone* / surgery
Hand Injuries* / surgery
Humans
Metacarpal Bones* / injuries
Metacarpal Bones* / surgery