Harin B Parikh1, Mojca C Herman2, Steven S Shin1. 1. Department of Orthopaedics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA. 2. Pro Rehab with Mo, Redondo Beach, California, USA.
Abstract
Background: Traditional rehabilitation protocols for surgically treated metacarpal shaft fracture allow for return to play at 6-8 weeks post-operative. This may be devastating for the elite athlete. We outline a protocol that may allow for professional basketball players to successfully return to sport within four weeks following surgery. Methods: Professional basketball players who sustained non-thumb metacarpal shaft fractures were included. All athletes underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the injured metacarpal. Patients were subsequently enrolled into an accelerated rehabilitation protocol. Results: The five athletes in our case series successfully passed return to sport testing within four weeks of surgery. Conclusion: A plate and screw construct can potentially allow for professional basketball players to return to play in half the time. Future research studies should include a larger pool of athletes to further investigate accelerated rehabilitation following surgical fixation of metacarpal fractures. Level of Evidence: IV.
Background: Traditional rehabilitation protocols for surgically treated metacarpal shaft fracture allow for return to play at 6-8 weeks post-operative. This may be devastating for the elite athlete. We outline a protocol that may allow for professional basketball players to successfully return to sport within four weeks following surgery. Methods: Professional basketball players who sustained non-thumb metacarpal shaft fractures were included. All athletes underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the injured metacarpal. Patients were subsequently enrolled into an accelerated rehabilitation protocol. Results: The five athletes in our case series successfully passed return to sport testing within four weeks of surgery. Conclusion: A plate and screw construct can potentially allow for professional basketball players to return to play in half the time. Future research studies should include a larger pool of athletes to further investigate accelerated rehabilitation following surgical fixation of metacarpal fractures. Level of Evidence: IV.