To investigate the clinical efficacy of double locking mini-plates for fixation of the comminuted fracture of the first metacarpal base.

Twenty-four patients with the comminuted fracture of the first metacarpal base were treated by double locking mini-plates in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2016. They were 17 males and 7 females, from 27 to 65 years of age (average, 33.5 years). By the Green classification, 6 cases were type Ⅰ, 13 cases type Ⅱ and 5 cases type Ⅲ. All the fractures were closed. The average time from injury to surgery was 2.3 days (from 8 hours to 7 days). After open reduction via the palmar-radial incision, the fracture was fixated with 2 mini-plates, one locking T-plate on the radial side and one straight locking plate on the dorsal side. Fracture healing time, pain and finger function were followed up post-operatively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain at 12 months and scoring for digital total range of motion to assess the function of the affected finger at the final follow-up.

The 24 patients obtained follow-up for 8 to 28 months (average, 18 months). All the Fractures healed after 9 to 12 weeks (average, 10.5 weeks). The VAS scores at 12 months ranged from 0 to 3 (average, 1.5). The function of the affected finger at the final follow-up was excellent in 20 cases and good in 4, giving an excellent to good rate of 100%. Two patients complained of pain after frequent motion of the finger. No complications like skin problems, dislocation of the first metacarpal base, implant failure, necrosis or irritation of the soft tissue were observed during follow-up. No angulation or rotational deformity occurred after fracture union.

Fixation with double locking mini-plates can effectively treat comminuted fractures of the first metacarpal base, because it can provide rigid stabilization which promotes early functional exercise of the finger, and prevents joint stiffness as well.

Metacarpal bone; Fractures, bone; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone plates