[Fractures near the base of the first metacarpal bone--clinical outcome of 21 patients].

Fractures of the base of the first metacarpal are particularly common. The present examination was carried out in order to find out a correlation between the clinical outcome and the type of the fracture, the quality of reduction, the surgical procedure, and the extent of osteoarthrosis. From February 1992 to August 1997, 24 patients with Bennett fracture-dislocation, Rolando fracture und extraarticular fracture--eight patients in each group--were treated operatively. After a median interval of 33 months, 21 patients were reviewed. The evaluation was done using a new score with subjective (pain and utility) and objective (strength and range of motion) parameters. The "DASH score" was also used. Excellent results were found in the intra- and the extraarticular fractures. The extent of palmar abduction was 98% and 86% of the contralateral side in Bennett and Rolando fractures, 90% in extraarticular fractures. Key pinch was 93%, 77%, and 90% of the contralateral side (Bennett, Rolando and extraarticular fractures). This means 97, 85, and 87 points in the new score and 100, 93, and 85 points in the DASH score. The results after intraarticular fractures did not correlate with the type of treatment. Osteoarthrosis was found to correlate with the quality of reduction of the fracture, but remained asymptomatic. Intraarticular fractures have no worse prognosis. Nevertheless, exact reduction, either by the open or closed method, should be the aim of treatment.