Plating

Articular fractures, simple or comminuted, of a metacarpal head may be fixed with a T-, Y- or an anatomical neck plate.

The articular fragments are reduced and fixed using the transverse part of the plate. In a second step, the extraarticular fracture component is reduced and fixed.

Noncomminuted fracture components, eg, between the articular fragments or between the articular block and the diaphysis, may be fixed with compression.

The reduction can be assisted with arthroscopy if skill and equipment are available.

Select a plate according to the size of the bone, fracture geometry, and surgeon’s preference. A T-shaped plate may be used. Other shapes may also be applied.

A plate with variable-angle (VA) locking-head screws has the advantage to allow insertion of two or three screws in variable angles into the articular block. The rounded plate edges avoid soft-tissue irritation and adhesion.

The plate needs to be contoured to fit the anatomy of the end segment.

Place the patient supine with the arm on a radiolucent hand table.

For this procedure, the following approach may be used:

• Dorsal approach to the metacarpophalangeal joints

If the fracture line allows, eg, in a T- or Y-shaped fracture with the articular fracture line running from palmar to dorsal, a lag screw may be inserted to stabilize the articular fracture. This converts a three-part fracture to a two-part fracture.

Make sure the screw track is not interfering with later plate application.

• Cortical lag-screw insertion

Manipulate the articular fragments with a dental pick, small K-wires, or a small periosteal elevator.

Small K-wires can also be used for preliminary fixation. Depending on fracture configuration, pointed forceps may be useful for reduction.

In impacted fractures, reduce the articular surface, and fill the bony defect under the fragments with bone graft. This helps to keep the fragments in place when the screw fixation is performed.

• Bone graft addition

Additionally, a periarticular K-wire may be used to reposition and support impacted articular fragments.

The end of the K-wire may protrude through the skin, which facilitates removal after consolidation of the fracture.

Check anatomical reduction of the joint surface under direct view or arthroscopy and image intensification.

Maximally flex the MCP joint to gain a view of the palmar aspect of the metacarpal head.

At this stage, it is advisable to check the alignment and rotational correction by moving the finger through a range of motion.

Rotational alignment can only be judged with flexed metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The fingertips should all point to the scaphoid.

Malrotation may manifest by an overlap of the flexed finger over its neighbor. Subtle rotational malalignments can often be judged by a tilt of the leading edge of the fingernail when the fingers are viewed end-on.

If the patient is conscious and the regional anesthesia still allows active movement, the patient can be asked to extend and flex the finger.

Any malrotation is corrected by direct manipulation and later fixed. Flexing the MCP joints while preventing overlap of the fingers will reduce rotational displacement.

Under general anesthesia, the tenodesis effect is used, with the surgeon fully flexing the wrist to produce extension of the fingers and fully extending the wrist to cause flexion of the fingers.

Alternatively, the surgeon can exert pressure against the muscle bellies of the proximal forearm to cause passive flexion of the fingers.

Adapt the plate length to the length of the metacarpal. Avoid sharp edges, which may be injurious to the tendons. There should be at least 3 plate holes proximal to the fracture available for fixation in the diaphysis. At least two screws need to be inserted into the diaphysis.

Contour the plate exactly to fit the surface of the metacarpal, including any necessary twisting.

Place the plate exactly so that the articular fragments can be fixed using screws through the distal plate holes. Often, it is not possible to insert a screw into each fragment. Small fragments should be supported by adjacent large fragments or bone graft.

Be careful to ensure that the screws do not perforate the joint surface.

Keep the plate in place with the atraumatic forceps.

If using a metacarpal neck plate, position it with the distal end proximal to the cartilage.

This plate may be applied ulnarly in the 5th metacarpal.

Begin fixation with the most critical articular fragment.

Drill carefully not to displace the fragments and penetrate the articular surface.

Insert the first screw.

• Insertion of VA locking head screw

Confirm the reduction and correct screw position using image intensification.

Align the plate along the shaft and bring the bone out to length.

Insert the VA locking head screws into the diaphyseal part of the plate without compression.

Check rotational alignment clinically and with an image intensifier.

Insert the second VA locking screw in the other end of the T-shape.

If the articular fracture allows, apply extrinsic compression.

Compress the fracture with reduction forceps. Position one tip of the forceps on the plate with the first screw to avoid damage of the bone cortex.

Insert the second VA locking screw to hold the compression.

It is helpful to apply the neck plate radially on the 2nd and ulnarly on the 5th metacarpal to allow for extrinsic compression with reduction forceps of a sagittal articular fracture and hold the compression with the distal VA locking-head screws.

Insert the second and, if possible, a third screw into the diaphyseal fragment and tighten them.

When the fixation is completed, remove the external fixator and K-wires, other than those needed to buttress small articular fragments.

Cover the plate with periosteum to avoid adhesion between the tendon and the implant leading to limited finger movement.

If additional large metaphyseal fragments need fixation, insert screws through the plate, or insert an independent lag screw.

If needed, use additional bone graft to fill any defect.

Insert the first cortical screw in the oblong hole in compression mode to compress the extraarticular fracture component.

• Screw insertion in compression mode

Check again rotational alignment clinically and with an image intensifier.

Insert a second screw into the diaphyseal segment to finalize the fixation.

Confirm correct rotational alignment by clinical examination.

Image intensification may be used to confirm anatomical reduction and correct placement of implants in two views.

The aftercare can be divided into four phases of healing:

• Inflammatory phase (week 1–3)
• Early repair phase (week 4–6)
• Late repair and early tissue remodeling phase (week 7–12)
• Remodeling and reintegration phase (week 13 onwards)

Full details on each phase can be found here.

If there is swelling, the hand is supported with a dorsal splint for a week. This would allow for finger movement and help with pain and edema control. The arm should be actively elevated to help reduce the swelling.

The hand should be splinted in an intrinsic plus (Edinburgh) position:

• Neutral wrist position or up to 15° extension
• Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in 90° flexion
• Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint in extension

The reason for splinting the MCP joint in flexion is to maintain its collateral ligament at maximal length, avoiding scar contraction.

PIP joint extension in this position also maintains the length of the volar plate.

After subsided swelling, protect the digit with buddy strapping to a neighboring finger to neutralize lateral forces on the finger.

To prevent joint stiffness, the patient should be instructed to begin active motion (flexion and extension) immediately after surgery.

See the patient after 5 and 10 days of surgery.

The implants may need to be removed in cases of soft-tissue irritation.

In case of joint stiffness or tendon adhesion restricting finger movement, arthrolysis or tenolysis may become necessary. In these circumstances, the implants can be removed at the same time.