Midterm (Min. 3yr) Follow-up of Patients With Single Spiral/Oblique Finger Metacarpal Fracture

The original trial was a noninferiority randomized controlled trial evaluating 42 patients. Randomization was performed 1:1 to either nonoperative treatment with mobilization initiated immediately following recruitment or operative treatment using ORIF with cortical screws or locking compression plate (LCP) and screw fixation.

The non-inferiority margin (NIM) was defined as -15% grip strength of the injured hand relative to the contralateral hand. The same NIM will be used for this trial.

Because subtle biomechanical changes (mainly metacarpal bone shortening) could theoretically cause problems not evident at 1-year follow-up (such as joint degeneration from changes in load distribution), the investigators plan to re-evaluate the patients for a longer-term follow-up.

Only patients included in the original trial will be eligible for inclusion in this extended follow-up. Participation will be offered via mail invitation, and participants will be offered financial compensation in the form of a single payment of 500SEK.

Data collection will be performed in a single outpatient hospital visit where patient history, subjective outcome data and bilateral plain radiography of the hands will be obtained.

• Early mobilization (Procedure): Patients randomized to nonoperative treatment have already received treatment using early mobilization in the original trial, and all fractures have been confirmed healed. Mobilization consisted of 5 repetitions of full finger extension followed by maximum finger flexion, and 5 such sets of 5 were required per day for the first 6 weeks. Buddy taping or resting splint was offered if the patient experienced difficulty, and mobilization was performed by all patients in this treatment arm.
• Operative treatment (Procedure): Patients randomized to operative treatment have already received treatment using open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with cortical screws in the original trial, and all fractures have been confirmed healed. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia through a dorsal incision centered over the fractured metacarpal. Reduction was performed under visual inspection and fixation performed using 2 or more cortical screws (Synthes Compact Hand 2.0) as first option. At the surgeons preference fixation using plate and screw fixation was also allowed. Postoperatively patients were put in a plaster cast for two weeks and then hand therapy was initiated.

Primary outcomes

• Grip strength [3-6 years]: Grip strength is measured in both hands using a JAMAR dynamometer set to 2nd position with the patient sitting down, arm resting in 90 degree elbow flexion and neutral forearm rotation. Three measurements are taken in each arm and the mean value calculated. The strength of the injured hand is expressed as a percentage value relative to the strength of the contralateral (uninjured) hand.

Secondary outcomes

• DASH score [3-6 years]: Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score, a patient-reported outcome measure. Scored 1-100, 1 representing best possible value.
• Metacarpal shortening [3-6 years]: Shortening of the metacarpal bone measured on plain radiographs comparing the length of the injured bone to the contralateral corresponding bone and calculating the difference in millimeters.
• Rotation [3-6 years]: Presence of any rotation deformity on clinical examination
• Subjective pain [3-6 years]: Pain graded by patient using a numeric rating scale (NRS) 1-10, 1 representing best possible value
• Subjective cosmetic result [3-6 years]: Cosmetic result graded by patient using a numeric rating scale (NRS) 1-10, 1 representing best possible value
• Subjective overall result [3-6 years]: Overall result of treatment outcome graded by patient using a numeric rating scale (NRS) 1-10, 1 representing best possible value
• Time off work [3-6 years]: The time off work measured in days, or time until return to normal function (in retired patients or patients attending education)
• Range of motion [3-6 years]: Range of motion of the affected finger ray presented as total active motion (TAM)

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any

Inclusion Criteria:

Previous inclusion in the original study population, i.e.:

* Diaphyseal, single spiral, and oblique fractures of the index to little finger metacarpals
* Fracture line length at least twice the diameter of the bone at the level of the fracture
* At least 2-mm displacement and/or shortening of the fracture or malrotation
* Normal hand function before the injury
* Fracture <10 days old

Exclusion Criteria:

* Multiple metacarpal fractures
* Open fractures
* Inability to follow instructions
* Fracture line length less than twice the diameter of the bone at the level of the fracture
* Abnormal hand function before the injury
* Previous ipsilateral hand fractures
* Fracture ≥10 days old at possible randomization

• Peyronson F, Ostwald CS, Hailer NP, Giddins G, Vedung T, Muder D. Nonoperative Versus Operative Treatment for Displaced Finger Metacarpal Shaft Fractures: A Prospective, Noninferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2023 Jan 18;105(2):98-106. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.22.00573. Epub 2022 Nov 10. PMID 36455163
• Results publication: Stalberg Ostwald C, Peyronson F, Hailer NP, Muder D. Radiographic assessment of metacarpal shortening after nonoperative and operative treatment of spiral and oblique metacarpal shaft fractures. Injury. 2026 Oct 4;57(11):113757. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113757. Online ahead of print. PMID 42849244

• Björn Äng, Professor, Study chair, Dalarna County Council, Sweden