ABSTRACT
Background: Metacarpal fractures are usually managed by conservative methods, but using these conservative methods in unstable fractures usually showed poor results. Surgical intervention is recommended in this fracture types.
Purposes: This study aims to assess the functional outcomes of plate fixation in metacarpal shaft fractures. The assessment was done by using Total Active Flexion score according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Patient and Methods: This study was a prospective study conducted at Al-Hussein University Hospital in a period between April 2017 and November 2019. This study was conducted on a total of 20 patients diagnosed with displaced, irreducible, and unstable metacarpal shaft fractures. Miniplate and screws was used for the fractures fixation. The patient's ages varied from 20 to 50 years old.
Results: The study was conducted on 20 patients, 10 patients were male (50%) and 10 were female (50%). The dominant hand was involved in 14 patients (70%). fracture union was seen in all patients. Most of them showed bone union between 8-12 weeks with an average 10 weeks. The total active flexion was measured and showed excellent scores in 14 patients, good scores in 4 patients, and fair scores only in 2 patients.
Conclusion: mini-plate and screws is a good choice for unstable metacarpal fractures fixation. The use of mini-plate and screws provide rigid stable fixation which allows early hand movement and achieving good functional outcomes.
Keywords: Metacarpal fractures; Mini-plate and screws; total active flexion score.