Early rehabilitation after stable osteosynthesis of intra-articular fractures of the metacarpal base of the thumb

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the radiological and functional results of anatomical reduction and stable fixation followed by an early rehabilitation programme in the treatment of fractures of the base of the thumb metacarpal. Sixteen consecutive patients (11 men and five women; mean age: 36.4 years) with intra-articular fractures of the thumb metacarpal base were treated with plate and/or screw fixation between April 2002 and March 2011 at our department. Patients were followed-up for an average period of 15.62 months. Bony healing was achieved in all cases and all patients were able to return to pre-trauma activity levels 12 weeks following surgery. Open reduction with stable internal fixation and an early active rehabilitation programme appears to be an efficient method in the treatment of trapeziometacarpal joint fractures with satisfactory functional and radiological results.