Thumb lengthening by metacarpal distraction.
A case with 1-cm distraction elongation of a child's thumb metacarpal 7 years after initial injury is presented. The thumb to long finger pinch was improved by this procedure. The metacarpal elongation has been maintained for 3 years. The mechanism of this repair appears to be ossification of connective tissue. Immobilization until bony union is complete is recommended to avoid loss of length gained.
D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000601:surgery*; D009068:Movement; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology