Fixation of Hand Fractures with Intramedullary Headless Compression Screws

Document Type : CURRENT CONCEPTS REVIEW

Authors

1 University of Florida Jacksonville Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Florida, USA

2 Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

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

Main Subjects


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Volume 10, Issue 12
December 2022
Pages 1004-1012
  • Receive Date: 16 May 2022
  • Revise Date: 20 August 2022
  • Accept Date: 26 August 2022
  • First Publish Date: 14 November 2022