Metacarpal Fractures: Anatomy, Injuries and Treatment-AM13: Treatment of Metacarpal Fractures: Best Evidence

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The video discusses the non-operative management of metacarpal fractures. The speaker, Don Lalonde, explains the six main principles of hand fractures that are taught to residents. These include early controlled movement, minimal dissection, congruous joint surfaces, focusing on movement rather than x-rays, getting off pain medication as soon as possible, and avoiding surgery unless there are bad joint injuries. Lalonde presents evidence from studies comparing surgical and non-operative treatments for Boxer's fractures, showing that non-operative treatment resulted in better long-term scores. He also discusses the management of thumb and spiral metacarpal fractures, emphasizing the importance of early protected movement and avoiding unnecessary surgery. The video addresses various scenarios and answers questions related to the management of metacarpal fractures. Lalonde concludes by recommending a less aggressive approach for older patients and emphasizes the need for individualized treatment based on the specific fracture characteristics.

Keywords

non-operative management

metacarpal fractures

hand fractures

controlled movement

surgical vs non-operative treatment

thumb and spiral metacarpal fractures