Background: The objective of the study is to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients treated with limited-open retrograde intramedullary headless screw (IMHS) fixation for metacarpal neck and shaft fractures. Methods: Retrospective review of 91 consecutive patients (79 men; 12 women), mean age 28 (range =15-69) years, treated with IMHS fixation for acute displaced metacarpal neck (N = 56) and shaft (N = 35) fractures at a single institution. Mean follow-up was 10 (range = 1-71, median = 3) months. Preoperative mean magnitude of metacarpal neck angulation was 48° (range = 0°-90°), and mean shaft angulation was 42° (range = 0°-70°). Active motion was initiated within 5 days postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed with digital goniometry, grip strength, and return to full activity. The time to radiographic union and radiographic arthrosis was assessed. Results: All 91 patients achieved full functional arc of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) motion, and all achieved full active MCP extension or hyperextension. At mean followup of 10 months, postoperative mean MCP joint flexion-extension arc was 88° (range = 55°-110°). Grip strength was available for 52 patients and measured 104.1% of the contralateral hand (range = 58%-230%). Radiographic union data were available for 86 patients. Seventy-six percent (65/86) achieved radiographic union by the end of week 6 (range = 2-10 weeks). Early arthrosis was noted in 1 patient at the MCP. There were 3 cases of shaft refracture after recurrent blunt trauma, following prior evidence of full osseous union. Conclusions: The IMHS fixation is safe, reliable, and durable for metacarpal neck/subcapital, axially stable shaft fractures, and select delayed unions or malunions. It allows for early postoperative motion without affecting union rates and obviates immobilization. This technique offers distinct advantages over formal open reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire techniques.
Introduction The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of collagenase injections with that of fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Methods This is a case-control retrospective study. We reviewed the electronic medical records from January 2009 through January 2013, identifying 142 consecutive patients who underwent either fasciectomy or collagenase injection. Exclusion criteria for both groups were age <18 years, pregnant women, and arthroplasty or arthrodesis of the treated joint. Follow-up data beyond 1-year duration was available for 117 of the patients: 44 patients who had undergone fasciectomy, and 73 patients who had received collagenase injection. The primary outcome measure in this study was resolution of joint contracture to 0-5°deficit of full extension. Data was analyzed using two-sample t tests for continuous data and chi-square test for categorical data. A significant P value was set at <0.05. Results At the latest follow-up, significantly more joints treated with fasciectomy met the primary outcome measure. Metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints responded better than the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints for both treatments. At the latest follow-up (14.2 months for collagenase, 16.3 months for fasciectomy), 46 % of MP joints treated with collagenase and 68 % of MP joints treated with fasciectomy maintained resolution of joint contracture. Sub-analysis of the affected joints based on the severity of initial contracture demonstrated that MP and PIP joints with contractures <45°responded better than more severely contracted joints (>45°). Conclusions Fasciectomy yields a greater mean magnitude of correction for digital contractures at the latest follow-up when compared to collagenase. Both treatments were more effective for treatment of MP joint contracture compared to PIP joint contracture. Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic.
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