Functional outcome in metacarpal fractures treated with Minifragment plating

Abstract

There is trend on rise to use miniplates over the kirschner's wire for treating the fractures of hand. The improved system of internal fixation by miniplates has many advantages. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the newer stable fixation method i.e plating has any significant advantage. The study included a total of 20 cases with individuals ageing greater than 18 years. The patients excluded from the study were who had compound injury, severe osteoporosis and severe comorbid conditions in whom risk of anaesthetic complications were high. The average time for radiological union was 8.7 weeks. Stiffness was the most common associated complication in this study. 8 patients (40%) had shown excellent results; 9 patients (45%) had shown good results; 3 patients had shown fair results and none reported poor result. Plating is an excellent method of fixation in metacarpal fractures.