Fracture of the metacarpal shaft. A method of treatment.

Anatomically, metacarpal fractures, when reduced, are not spontaneously stable. They require maintenance of this reduction because of the forces acting on the fragments. Closed methods of maintaining this reduction are ideal, but in selected cases, intramedullary fixation of the fracture, using the Kirschner wire, gives excellent results. The method under consideration does not disturb the fracture site itself, the Kirschner wire being introduced "blind." Correct placement of the site of insertion of the wire, coupled with the rigid immobilization thus attained, gives excellent results in a high proportion of selected cases.