title: The treatment of unstable metacarpal and phalangeal shaft fractures with flexible nonlocking and locking intramedullary nails.
abstract: Metacarpal and phalangeal shaft fracture fixation can be achieved by closed IM nailing. This technique provides sufficient stability to commence early unsupported joint motion and minimize soft-tissue irritation and scar formation. Stability is enhanced by proximal nail locking; a measure that extends the indications to spiral and comminuted fractures. The surgical technique is simple but requires attention to detail.
authors.affiliation: Miami Hand Center, 8905 SW 87th Avenue, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33176, USA. jlorbay@aol.com
authors.forename: Jorge L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Orbay
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Touhami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome