Abstract

• Before the introduction of internal fixation, the healing of a fracture was an unpredictable event. Internal fixation provides stability, and fractures heal predictably. The miniplate is used for unstable metacarpal and phalangeal fractures of the hand to provide stability and to allow early motion. We analysed 32 patients, 41 cases of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures of the hand which were treated with miniplates from Jan. 1990 to June 1995. The following results were obtained. 1. Mean age was 35 years and the male was predominent(81.3%). The most common fracture site was the metacarpal(51.2%). 2. TAM(total active motion) was 2240 in average and the best result was obtained in the metacarpal fractures(TAM = 239). The roentgenographic union was 16.8 weeks in average. 3. There were 6 complications(complication rate 14.6%) which were 3 cases of joint stiffness, a case of wound infection, a case of loss of reduction, and a case of delayed union. 4. Miniplate fixation is considered to be an useful method to get fracture union and good range of motion with low complication rate in the treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures of the hand.
• Key words: Hand, Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures, Operative treatment, Miniplate fixation

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