Treatment of subcapital fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone: A prospective randomised comparison between functional treatment and reposition and splinting

We did a prospective study to compare the results of treatment of subcapita l fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone by closed reduction and splinting or by functional treatment. Twenty-nine consecutive patients were randomly divided into the two treatment groups (functional n = 14, and reposition an d splinting n = 15). The results of treatment were satisfactory in both gro ups. Functionally treated patients recovered their grip force and range of movement of the affected hand a little sooner. All fractures in both groups had united within three months. There were no complications. We conclude t hat subcapital fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone can successfully be t reated without closed reduction and splinting.