Publication:

Management of boxers fracture with single antegrade bent K-wire

Background Fractures of the neck of fifth metacarpal are commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice. Management of these fractures is a debatable topic with treatment varying from conservative management to surgical fixation. In our study we used a pre-bent k wire in antegrade fashion to achieve fracture fixation. We found that pre-bent K wire provides an excellent reduction with good correction of neck shaft angle and good restoration of movements at the metcarpo-phalyngeal and inter-phalyngeal joints. Pre-bent K wire provides an efficient and economical modality of fixation in fracture neck of fifth metacarpal fractures.

Methods All patients presenting with fracture neck of fifth metacarpal were managed by pre-bent K wire in antegrade fashion by a single surgeon using a single prebent K wire.

Results All the fractures involved the dominant hand (16 right and 6 left). The mean duration of surgery was 24 mins. Intra operatively the mean no of X ray shoots were 12. At the end of the follow-up there was no significant difference in the TAM in the affected and the unaffected hand. The p=0.17. The mean DASH at the end of the follow up was 2.42. The mean fracture healing time was 45 days.

Conclusions Boxers fracture is very common fracture type in young active adults. Conservative management is usually associated with shorting and angular deformities. Percutenous fixation of the fracture with bent K wire placed in antegrade fashion provides good stability at the fracture site.