The treatment of fractures of the ring and little metacarpal necks. A prospective randomized study of three different types of treatment

J Hand Surg Br. 1998 Apr;23(2):245-7. doi: 10.1016/s0266-7681(98)80186-1.

Abstract

A total of 105 patients with fracture of the neck of the ring or little metacarpal bone were randomized to receive three different types of treatment: dorso-ulnar plaster-of-Paris from the proximal interphalangeal joint to elbow; functional brace around the wrist; or elastic bandage. Twenty patients (19%) had to be excluded for different reasons leaving 85 patients in the study. The remaining patients were examined after 4 weeks and 3 months. There was no difference in patient satisfaction between the three different types of treatment. The functional brace was in our opinion superior to the two other types of treatment: the patients had as little pain as the patients treated with plaster-of-Paris and less pain than patients treated with elastic bandage. Patients treated with a functional brace mobilized as fast as patients treated with elastic bandage and faster than patients treated with plaster-of-Paris. Based on these findings, we recommend the functional brace for treatment of fractures of the neck of the ring and little metacarpals.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Bandages*
  • Braces*
  • Casts, Surgical*
  • Fracture Healing / physiology
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Metacarpus / injuries*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Treatment Outcome