Intramedullary Fixation with Headless Screws versus Bouquet in Unstable Metacarpal Neck Fractures in Active Patients: A Randomized Study

Abstract

Abstract Objeticve To compare the range of motion (ROM), return-to-work time, visual analogue score (VAS), disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH), and radiographic outcomes of two methods of definitive internal fixation in active patients with boxer’s fractures, operated in the first week. Methods This was a prospective, randomized trial, in which 50 patients, with a mean age range of 18 to 40 years old, were randomized and treated to definitive intramedullary fixation using 2 headless screws (n = 20) or bouquet (2 or 3 Kirschner wires) (n = 20). The patients were assessed on return-to-work time, ROM, patient reported QuickDASH outcome, VAS, and radiographic evaluation at 6 months. Results At 6 months, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of ROM, postoperative pain (VAS), or QuickDASH score. The overall complication rate was 4.76% in the screw group, compared with 5% in the bouquet-fixation group. Conclusions In the treatment of the active patients with unstable boxer’s fractures, headless screws and bouquet fixation proved to be a safe and reliable treatment. The outcomes were similar in both groups.

Keywords

• metacarpal bones
• boxer’s fracture
• fracture fixation
• intramedullary
• minimally invasive surgical procedures
• clinical trials
• randomized