SUBCAPITAL FRACTURES OF THE 4TH AND 5TH METACARPALS TREATED WITHOUT SPLINTING AND REPOSITION

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results after treating subcap ital fractures in the fourth and fifth metacarpals with immediate mobi lisation and without splinting or reduction. We undertook a prospectiv e clinical evaluation of 36 subcapital fractures of the fourth and fif th metacarpals treated with immediate mobilisation and without splinti ng or reduction during the period 1 January 1990 to 31 December 1992 i n the accident and emergency department, Holstebro Central Hospital. A fter 4 weeks only 4 patients (11%) had restricted movement in the meta carpophalangeal joint (less than 0-80 degrees of movement). The fractu re had healed in 33 patients (92%), and 31 of the patients (86%) were completely satisfied. We conclude that subcapital fractures in the fou rth and fifth metacarpals can be treated without immobilisation or rep osition.