Composite wiring of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures.

Composite wiring techniques using various configurations of Kirschner pins and stainless steel wire sutures have been applied to the treatment of 63 fractures of the long bones of the hand. The secure fixation achieved allowed active motion within 1 week of operation. Thirty-three metacarpal fractures achieved a final mean total active motion of 256 degrees (standard deviation 13.4) (normal total active motion -260 degrees). Twenty-one phalangeal fractures achieved a mean total active motion of 215 degrees (standard deviation, 46 degrees). There were no instances of infection, malunion, nonunion, loss of reduction, or tendon rupture in the 63 fractures that were treated.