COMBINED 4TH AND 5TH METACARPAL FRACTURE AND 5TH CARPOMETACARPAL JOINT DISLOCATION

Three cases of hamato-metacarpal fracture-dislocation with fracture of the shaft or base of the fourth metacarpal and dorsal dislocation of the fifth metacarpal are described. In one case this was associated wi th coronal fracture of the hamate. An oblique radiograph of the hand w ith the forearm pronated 15 degrees and 45 degrees provided a good vie w of the extent of the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal injury. Treatm ent with open reduction and internal fixation achieves good clinical r esults.