Irreducible Metacarpal Neck Fracture due to Interposition of the Extensor Tendons

Abstract

A 15-year-old male presented with multiple right-hand fractures, including a severely angulated small finger metacarpal neck fracture. Multiple closed attempts failed, and open reduction was performed. At surgery, the extensor tendon was found to be interposed within the fracture, thereby preventing closed reduction. The tendon was extricated from the fracture site, adequate reduction was obtained, and the fracture was stabilized using K-wires. The fracture united well, with good return of motion and strength. Extensor tendon interposition is a rare scenario associated with metacarpal neck fractures and should be suspected when there is complete loss of contact between the fracture ends and multiple attempts at closed reduction have failed.

Keywords

fractures, bone - fracture fixation, internal - metacarpal bones - tendons

Study carried out at the Department of Hand Surgery, Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Byrasandra, Jayanagar, Bangalore, India

Publication History

Received: 23 November 2020

Accepted: 07 April 2021

Article published online:
01 October 2021

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