Rolando type base of thumb metacarpal fractures are potentially debilitating injuries, which can be difficult to manage because of their inherent instability. Malunion is associated with stiffness, pain and weakness of pinch grip. We aimed to assess the outcome of a simple technique for the treatment of this fracture using the principle of ligamentotaxis, with a static, 2-pin external fixator spanning the trapeziometacarpal joint. We present the results and functional outcomes of this technique. A consecutive series of 8 patients (7 males, 1 female) with Rolando type intra-articular fractures of the base of the first metacarpal was retrospectively reviewed. All cases were performed by the senior author using a static, 2-pin Mini-Hoffman external fixator. Case notes and radiographs were reviewed, and patients' functional outcome assessed using the Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick DASH) scoring system. Mean age of the group was 32.8 years (range 18.1-52.3 years). Mean follow-up was 2.7 years (range 3.5 months to 6.0 years).Introduction
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