Hand and finger fractures: Difference between revisions

 
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[[File:Hand bones.svg|thumb|Hand bones]]
==Background==
==Background==
*Splinting is used in initial immobilization of, and often is definitive tx for, metacarpal fractures
{{Hand and finger fractures DDX}}
*Maintenance of MCP joint in flexion is important to avoid immobility contractures of  collateral ligaments


==Thumb Fracture==
==Clinical Features==
===Classification===
*History of trauma
* Type I (Bennett's Fx)
*Pain over fracture site
** Fx-dislocation of the base of the metacarpal (intraarticular)
* Type II (Rolando's Fx)
** Comminuted version of a Bennett's fracture (intraarticular)
* Type III
** Extraarticular (transverse or oblique)
* Type IV
** Extraarticular pediatric fx involving the proximal physis
===Diagnosis===
*Examination
** Important to distinguish tenderness at base of 1st MC from injury to scaphoid, trapezium, or distal radius
** If pain or ecchymosis occurs more distally at the MCP (particularly on the ulnar side) consider ulnar collateral ligament injury (Game Keeper's Thumb)
* Imaging
** AP, lateral, oblique
===Treatment===
* Splinting
** Type I, II - Thumb-spica with the IP joint free and wrist in 30 deg of extension
** Type III - Short arm thumb-spica extening to the IP joint and wrist in 30 deg of extension
* RICE
** Significant swelling or overly aggressive icing to radial side of thumb may result in temporary palsy to the superficial radial nerve (numbness over the dorsum of the thumb)
* Reduction
** Indicated for:
*** Angulated extraarticular fx if clinician is comfortable with the procedure
===Disposition===
* Refer within 3-5 days:
** All intraarticular fractures warrant referral (most require sx)
** Extraarticular fractures that cannot be adequately reduced


==Non-Thumb Metacarpal Head Fracture==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Intra-articular Fx
{{Hand and finger injury DDX}}
*Examination
**Swelling, decreased ROM, and TTP of MCP joint
**Assess for rotational alignment (rotational malalignment is not tolerated)
**Assess for skin integrity (r/o fight bite)
*Imaging
**AP, lateral, oblique
***Angulation assessed on lateral view
**Consider "Brewerton" view if collateral ligament avulsion fx suspected
*Treatment
**Ulnar or radial gutter splint
***MCP joints in 70-90 deg flexion, wrist in 20-30 deg extension, PIP and DIP joints in 5-10 deg of flexion
*Dispo
**Almost always refer b/c are intraarticular and typically comminuted
**Non-displaced fx can be splinted for 2-3 weeks followed by ROM exercises


==Non-Thumb Metacarpal Neck Fracture==
==Evaluation==
*Examination
===Workup===
**TTP or ecchymosis on the palmar bony surface is highly suggestive of fracture
*XR hand and/or finger(s)
**Loss of the normal knuckle contour
*Consider need for more proximal or distal plain films
***Due to dorsal angulation of fracture apex due to pull of the interosseous muscles
**Assess angulation
***Head-to-neck angle of the metacarpals is normally 15 degrees
****Fracture angulation = measured angle minus 15 deg
***Angle toleration (below which there is no adverse functional outcome)
****2nd MC < 10 deg
****3rd MC < 20 deg
****4th MC < 30 deg
****5th MC < 30 deg
**Assess rotational alignment
**Assess extensor apparatus
**Assess skin integrity
*Treatment
**Gutter splint
***MCP joints in 70-90 deg flexion, wrist in 20-30 deg extension, PIP and DIP joints in 5-10 deg of flexion
**Acute reduction indicated:
***Pseudoclawing
***Significantly angulated 4th or 5th MC fx
*Dispo
**Refer for:
***Comminution
***Rotational malalignment


==Non-Thumb Metacarpal Shaft Fracture==
===Diagnosis===
* Examination
<gallery mode="packed">
** TTP along affected metacarpal
File:Tufts_fracture.jpg|[[Finger (phalanx) fracture]]
** Flexion at MCP is difficult
File:Neck Fracture of the Fourth Metacarpal Bone.png|[[Non-thumb metacarpal fractures]]
** Assess for extensor dysfunction; pt may exhibit "pseudo-clawing" during attempts at finger extension
File:Bennetts Fracture.jpg|[[Thumb fracture]]
** Assess angulation
</gallery>
*** >10 deg in 2nd and 3rd and >20 deg in 4th and 5th metacarpal shaft fractures requires reduction
** Assess rotational alignment
* Imaging
** Oblique fx are more prone to shorten and rotate
** Transverse fx generally stable (particularly isolated 3rd or 4th MC shaft fx)
* Treatment
** Gutter splint
** Acute reduction indicated if there is pseudo-clawing or significant angulation
*** Closed reduction generally corrects angulation but typically does not restore length
* Dispo
** Refer:
*** Malrotation
*** Comminution
*** Shortening > 5mm (refer all shortening if not familiar with fx management)
*** 2 or more metacarpal fractures
*** Unacceptable angulation
*** Long oblique fractres


==Non-Thumb Metacarpal Base Fracture==
==Management & Disposition==
* Examination
{{Hand Fracture Management Chart}}
** Movement at the wrist elicits pain
** Assess for ulnar deficits (finger abduction/adduction)
** Assess for rotational alignment
* Imaging
** AP, lateral, oblique
** 30 deg obliques pronated and supinated if usual films unable to visualize the MC bases
** Consider CT if index of suspicion high for occult fx despite "negative" plain films
* Treatment
** Dorsal and volar splints with the wrist in 30 deg of extension and MCP joints free
* Dispo
** Refer for:
*** Intraarticular fx
*** Extraarticular fx with malrotation
*** Dislocation of metacarpal base CMC joint;
*** Ulnar nerve injury
*** 5th metacarpal base fx (typically require sx)


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Fractures]]
*[[Fractures (Main)]]
*[[Hand Diagnoses (Main)]]
*[[Splinting]]
 
==External Links==


==Source==
==References==
UpToDate
<references/>


[[Category:Ortho]]
[[Category:Orthopedics]]

Latest revision as of 22:37, 22 March 2023

Hand bones

Background

Hand and Finger Fracture Types

Clinical Features

  • History of trauma
  • Pain over fracture site

Differential Diagnosis

Hand and finger injuries

Evaluation

Workup

  • XR hand and/or finger(s)
  • Consider need for more proximal or distal plain films

Diagnosis

Management & Disposition

Hand Fracture Management Chart

Fracture Splint Disposition
Flexor tendon injury Finger Splint hand specialist referral
Extensor tendon injury Poss ED repair + Finger Splint hand specialist referral
Mallet finger Finger Splint to DIP (DIP in slight hyperextension)
Metacarpophalangeal ulnar ligament rupture (Gamekeeper's thumb) Thumb Spica Splint
Scaphoid fracture Thumb Spica Splint
Carpal fracture Volar Splint
Bennet's fracture (intrarticular fracture at base of 1st MCP) Thumb Spica Splint
Rolando's fracture (comminuted base of 1st MCP) Thumb Spica Splint
Boxer's fracture Ulnar Gutter Splint
4th and 5th MCP fracture Ulnar Gutter Splint
2nd and 3rd MCP fracture Radial Gutter Splint
Finger (Phalanx) Fracture Finger Splint or Buddy Tape

See Also

External Links

References