title: Intra-articular metacarpal head fractures.
abstract: One hundred and three intra-articular metacarpal head fractures in 100 patients are presented and classified by anatomical involvement on roentgenographic examination. The fractures were epiphyseal (Salter-Harris type III, n = 4), ligament avulsions from metacarpal head (n = 17), osteochondral (n = 8), oblique (sagittal, n = 22), vertical (coronal, n = 4), horizontal (transverse, n = 4), comminuted (n = 31), boxer's fractures with extension into the joint (n = 3), loss of substance (n = 6), and occult compression with avascular necrosis (n = 4). Experience with fractures involving large intra-articular defects suggests that they should be reconstructed to give a congruous metacarpal head; the digit should then be mobilized as early as technically feasible.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000601:surgery*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011859:Radiography