Therapy of Fifth Metacarpal Neck Fractures - Comparing Functional Treatment With Reposition and Finger Splinting

Conservative Therapy of Fifth Metacarpal Neck Fractures - a Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Functional Treatment With Reposition and Finger Splinting

The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate if functional treatment leads to a better functional outcome than a forearm cast and a finger splint in patients with fifth metacarpal neck fracture.

This study represents a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing two different conservative treatment options in patients with fifth metacarpal neck fracture.

Patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the present study provided they give their consent. Informed written consent will be obtained. Randomization will be performed according to the CONSORT Guidelines of Prospective Randomized Trials using the software "Randomizer" by the Medical University of Graz. Patients allocated to the control group will receive a forearm cast with a finger splint in terms of an immobilizing treatment, while patients in the study group will receive buddy taping for fingers IV and V and an elastic bandage in terms of a functional treatment. Both groups will receive the allocated bandage or splint for 4 weeks. The clinical outcome will be assessed 12 weeks after trauma.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Fifth Metacarpal Neck Fractures
• Patient age between 18 and 70 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Palmar angulation >50° in first lateral x-ray
• Pathologic fracture
• Intraarticular fracture
• Patients unable to consent
• Polytraumatized patients
• Pregnancy
• Compound fractures
• Multiple hand injuries
• Patients initially presenting more than 7 days after injury