3. Results
nonunion, fractures, angulation
COMPLICATIONS
A total of 158 patients with metacarpal neck fractures were included in this study, with 60 patients treated using the KP method, 50 patients treated using the IP method, and 48 patients treated using the IPKP method. The demographic characteristics of the three groups exhibited similarities in age and gender distribution. There were no differences in radiological features in the pre-operative X-rays between the three groups, as shown in The assessment of angulation degrees was conducted based on radiographic images acquired pre-operatively, post-operatively, and at 1-year follow-up visits. The angulation measurements immediately after surgery were as follows: 13.1° (±5.6) in the KP group, 13.1° (±5.1) in the IP group, and 10.3° (±4.0) in the IPKP group (The assessment of shortening was conducted based on radiographic images obtained immediately postoperatively and at 1-year follow-up visits. Upon immediate postoperative evaluation, the observed shortening measurements were as follows: 0.5 mm (±0.5) in the KP group, 0.7 mm (±0.4) in the IP group, and 0.3 mm (±0.2) in the IPKP group (At the 1-year follow-up visit, the range of motion (ROM) of the affected finger(s) was measured in degrees using goniometry. For comparative purposes, the flexion angles of the MCP joint, PIP joint, and DIP joint were added for comparison. The results show that the groups exhibited total active motion (TAM) measurements of 272.6° (±17.5) in the KP group, 271.1° (±18.0) in the IP group, and 274.1° (±14.9) in the IPKP group. While the inter-group comparison did not yield statistically significant differences (The mean Quick-DASH score was 2.3 (±0.5) in the KP group, 2.5 (±0.4) in the IP group, and 1.9 (±0.4) in the IPKP group. The between-group comparisons showed a statistically significant difference (The cosmetic score was 3.8 (±0.7) in the KP group, 3.8 (±0.7) in the IP group, and 4.7 (±0.5) in the IPKP group. The between-group comparisons showed a statistically significant difference (Several cases with complications were reported in the KP and IP groups. In particular, rotational deformity was observed in only three patients (6%) in the IP group, while no instances of rotational deformity were reported in the other groups. Furthermore, nonunion was reported by one patient (1.6%) in the KP group, necessitating revision surgery after a few months.