title: What is the real angle of deviation of metacarpal neck fractures on oblique views? A radiographic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to establish an indirect, easy-to-use, predictable and safe means of obtaining the true degree of displacement of fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal bone, through oblique radiographic views.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anatomical specimen from the fifth human metacarpal was dissected and subjected to ostectomy in the neck region. A 1-mm Kirschner wire was fixed to the base of the fifth metacarpal bone, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone and parallel to the ground. Another six Kirschner wires of the same diameter were bent over and attached to the ostectomized bone to simulate fracture displacement. Axial rotation of the metacarpus was used to create oblique radiographic views. Radiographic images were generated with different angles and at several degrees of rotation of the bone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We deduced a mathematical formula that showed the true displacement of fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal bone by means of oblique radiographs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oblique radiographs at 30̊ of supination provided the best view of the bone and least variation from the real value of the displacement of fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone. The mathematical formula deduced was concordant with the experimental model used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Góes Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel Hidalgo
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gonçalez
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Manoel Fonseca
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme Marques
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: da Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chakkour
keywords: Fractures, bone; Hand; Metacarpus; Radiography