title: The upper hand on compartment syndrome.
abstract: Metacarpal fractures are common injuries, accounting for approximately 30% to 40% of all hand fractures and with a lifetime incidence of 2.5%. Traditionally regarded as an innocuous injury, metacarpal fractures tend to be associated with successful outcomes after closed reduction and immobilization. Hand compartment syndrome (HCS) is a rare clinical entity with potential devastating consequences in terms of loss of function and quality-of-life outcomes. We discuss the case of a 44-year-old woman presenting with multiple closed metacarpal fractures as a result of low-energy trauma, complicated by acute HCS. We review the presentation, clinical assessment, and optimal surgical management of acute HCS with reference to international literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland. roshdolan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Roisin T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Khudairy
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mc Kenna
authors.forename: Joseph S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Beirne
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Quinlan
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000293:injuries*