The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery

The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery

Fixation of Hand Fractures with Intramedullary Headless Compression Screws

Document Type : CURRENT CONCEPTS REVIEW

Authors
Nicolas M. Dohse 1
Chistopher M. Jones 2
Asif M. Ilyas 2
1 University of Florida Jacksonville Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Florida, USA
2 Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
10.22038/abjs.2022.64506.3102
Abstract
Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures remain among the most frequently encountered orthopedic injuries, accounting
for 10% of all fractures. For operative fractures, there is an array of treatment options with percutaneous kirschner wire
stabilization and screw and plate fixation strategies predominating. Recently, a new fixation method was introduced,
intramedullary (IM) fixation with headless screws, which has advantages of a percutaneous technique and buried
hardware. The purpose of this review is to highlight the indications and surgical techniques of IM screw fixation of
metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. Although more research is needed, IM fixation represents a potentially reliable
alternative to Kirschner-wire and plate fixation.
Level of evidence: V
Keywords
Indications
Intramedullary compression
Metacarpal fracture
Phalanx fracture
Technique
Subjects
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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 10, Issue 12
December 2022
Pages 1004-1012

  • Receive Date 16 May 2022
  • Revise Date 20 August 2022
  • Accept Date 26 August 2022