CLOSED INTRAMEDULLARY FIXATION FOR METACARPAL FRACTURES USING J-SHAPED NAIL

The purpose of this study is to present the results of a new intramedullary fixation technique for metacarpal fractures. A J-shaped nail, which is a curved 2.0 mm diameter Kirschner wire sharply bent at the proximal end, was inserted from the dorsal aspect of the metacarpal base. Twenty-one metacarpal fractures (five transverse shaft fractures and 16 neck fractures) in 19 hands of 18 patients with were operated by this technique. All fractures had successful unions. Clinical and radiographic results were excellent in all ten hands that had excluded concomitant injuries. There was no mechanical irritation of the skin or extensor tendons in any patient. This intramedullary fixation technique is very useful for neck or transverse shaft fractures of the metacarpals without concomitant injuries such as severe soft tissue damage.