Title: Fifth Metacarpal Fracture<br/>Author: Brian Corwell<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/294/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
28-year-old male present with dorsal hand pain after “losing his temper”</p>
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On exam, you note dorsal swelling, tenderness, and deformity</p>
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AP, lateral and oblique views are obtained.</p>
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<a href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55d5e97fe4b0c4913b06a4dd/1440082762211-V6RW1TTWB1Q5C89TPIEC/boxers+2.jpg?format=500w">https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55d5e97fe4b0c4913b06a4dd/1440082762211-V6RW1TTWB1Q5C89TPIEC/boxers+2.jpg?format=500w</a></p>
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There is no rotational deformity but using the lateral view, you note that there is angulation</p>
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Measured as the shaft of the metacarpal as compared to the mid-point of the fracture fragment</p>
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Acceptable shaft angulation generally accepted to be less than 40°</p>
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Patient has greater that acceptable angulation so you have to perform closed reduction</p>
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After appropriate pain control consider the “90-90 method.” </p>
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Flex the MCP, DIP, and PIP joints to 90 degrees.</p>
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This positioning stretches the MCP collateral ligaments helping to optimize reduction</p>
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Next, apply volar pressure over the dorsal aspect of the fracture site while applying pressure axially to the flexed PIP joint.</p>
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Best demonstrated below</p>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40irKoUJqsM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40irKoUJqsM</a></p>
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