Evaluation of the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients operated for metacarpal and phalangeal bone fractures

Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures, cause loss off labor and function. Open reduction and miniplate screw system or kirschner wire methods are the main choices for fixing metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. The main purpose of our study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of metacarpal or phalangeal fractures treated by the use of mini plate screw or kirschner wire. Our study is designed retrospectively. Between January 2013 and January 2018, a total of 156 patients with 172 metacarpal or phalangeal fractures were included in this studey who were addmitted to our clinic.74 of fractures (Group 1) were treated with mini plate screw and the rest 98 (Group 2) were treated with k wire. Mean age of them were 37,23 and 34,38 respectively. Between these two groups, we investigated the differences in ROM, union rates, union times and hand function(using the DASH and MHQ). Mean follow-up time was 18,9 months. No significant differences were seen between two groups by the mean of union rates and range of motions. Nonunion was seen in total of 7 patients (mini plate screw:3, k wire:4). The outcome of range of motion were excellent in both groups. DASH and MHQ scores were similar between two groups.In both groups, patients were able to perform hand functions according to the DASH and MHQ scores. In the group 1, time to union of the fractures was 9.3 ± 5.3 weeks and in the other group 6.4 ± 2.8 weeks which was significantly faster than Group 1. Looking at these results; fixation with mini plate screw is a more preferable method for early return to normal daily life by providing early movement to the patients, while fixation with k wire can be considered as a preferable method in terms of being easy to apply, cheap and early bone union.