Clinical results of intraarticular fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal treated by closed reduction and cast immobilization

This retrospective study evaluated the results of closed reduction and cast immobilization for isolated intraarticular fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal. Twenty-two of 37 such fractures were available for follow-up at an average of 43 months, and these had all healed at an average of 5 weeks without any cast complications. Twenty patients reported excellent or good results, and two reported fair or poor results. At follow-up, 13 had no arthrosis and nine had mild arthrosis of the carpometacarpal joint. However, outcome was not influenced by fracture type, the degree of subluxation or articular step off, or the presence of arthrosis. We conclude that isolated fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal can be reliably treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization.