title: Osteochondrosis of the fourth metacarpal head after closed trauma.
abstract: A rare case of osteochondrosis of the fourth metacarpal head after blunt trauma to the hand is presented. Follow-up at 2 years showed mild residual deformity both clinically and radiographically, but the child was asymptomatic. The cause of this condition is unknown, but it appears to be one of the few osteochondroses related to a single episode of direct trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jacksonville Health Education Programs, Fla.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Crick
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000209:etiology*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*