The conservative management of Bennett's fracture-dislocation: a 26-year follow-up.
Seventeen patients who had suffered a Bennett's fracture-dislocation have been reviewed with an average follow up of 26 years. All were treated conservatively. At review, only seven patients had symptoms, but all had a decreased range of movement and grip strength. Twelve had a characteristic deformity in the hand. Radiographs showed persistent subluxation of the first carpo-metacarpal joint and marked degenerative changes. We suggest that, in the light of the poor long-term outcome, this injury should not be managed conservatively but by some operative means.
Livesley
P J
PJ
Mansfield District General Hospital, Nottinghamshire.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000293:injuries; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D014143:Traction