title: Internal fixation with the low profile plate system compared with Kirschner wire fixation: clinical results of treatment for metacarpal and phalangeal fractures.
abstract: A total of 71 patients with 78 metacarpal or phalangeal fractures were treated using one of two different methods of fixation. Thirty-nine fingers were treated using a low profile plate and screw system (LPP group), whereas 39 fingers were treated using Kirschner wire (K-wire group). In the LPP group, three cases of screw breakage were recorded. The LPP group required use of a splint for 0.9 weeks, significantly less than the 4.4 weeks of the K-wire group. The mean of 2.6 +/- 1.6 months for the time to union in the LPP group was significantly greater than the 1.6 +/- 0.6 months in the K-wire group. There were no instances of non-union in both groups, but one delayed union was observed in the LPP group. Total active flexion was 235 degrees and 243 degrees in the LPP and the K-wire groups, respectively. Total extension loss was 12 degrees and 9 degrees in the LPP and the K-wire groups, respectively. Although use of either method resulted in a good range of motion, LPP fixation required a much shorter time with a splint. However, because of the possibility of screw breakage, we have to exercise caution with post-operative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yokosuka Hokubu Kyosai Hospital, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa, Japan. hidetake@zc4.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: Hidetake
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takigami
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakano
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013165:Splints