The first experience in the treatment of closed fractures of the metacarpal bones with the use of a short plaster cast

Method of conservative treatment of closed II-V metacarpal bone fractures was suggested. It included closed reposition of bone fragments and fixation by short plaster dressing. That dressing was a sugar-tongs plaster splint spreading from the palm to the back of the wrist via ulnar (radius) margin of hand. Careful modeling of plaster dressing with fulcrums on the palm and the back of the wrist provided stable fixation of bone fragments. That method of treatment was applied in 129 patients with closed fractures of II— V metacarpal bones. Complete bone fragments reduction was obtained in 81 patients (62.8%)), significant improvement — in 39 patients (30.2%). Secondary displacement of bone fragments in plaster dressing was noted in 8 cases (6.2%)). At 1.5—2 months follow up the results were excellent in 65% of patients, good results were achieved in 16.5%o of cases and satisfactory results in 18.5%). Unsatisfactory results were not observed.