Presentation
Sports' injury.
Patient Data
Intra-articular oblique meta-epiphyseal fracture of the 5th metacarpal of the right hand, with extension to its diaphysis.
8 weeks after incident and 2 weeks after surgery.
Case Discussion
Initially, a conservative approach was attempted for the patient presented above. However, as there was no evidence that the healing process was happening satisfactory, surgery was indicated. There is a variety of options for fixation of metacarpal fractures and surgical treatment usually has good prognosis. Regarding the cases treated by closed means with K-wire, such as the patient of the case above, fixation outcomes do tend to show more mobility than with plate fixation.
Contributed by Dr. Guilherme Pioli Resende M.D. and Dr. Daniel Brito de Medeiros M.D.