We reviewed our results and complications of using a pre-bent 1.6mm Kirschner wire (K-wire) for extra-articular metacarpal fractures. The surgical procedure was indicated for angulation at the fracture site in a true lateral radiograph of at least 30 degrees and/or in the presence of a rotatory deformity. A single K-wire is pre-bent in a lazy-S fashion with a sharp bend at approximately 5 millimetres and a longer smooth curve bent in the opposite direction. An initial entry point is made at the base of the metacarpal using a 2.5mm drill by hand. The K-wire is inserted blunt end first in an antegrade manner and the fracture reduced as the wire is passed across the fracture site. With the wire acting as three-point fixation, early mobilisation is commenced at the metacarpo-phalangeal joint in a Futuro hand splint. The wire is usually removed with pliers post-operatively at four weeks in the fracture clinic. We studied internal fixation of 18 little finger and 2 ring finger metacarpal fractures from November 2007 to August 2009. The average age of the cohort was 25 years with 3 women and 17 men. The predominant mechanism was a punch injury with 5 diaphyseal and 15 metacarpal neck fractures. The time to surgical intervention was a mean 13 days (range 4 to 28 days). All fractures proceeded to bony union. The wire was extracted at an average of 4.4 weeks (range three to six weeks). At an average follow up of 8 weeks, one fracture had to be revised for failed fixation and three superficial wound infections needed antibiotic treatment. With this simple and minimally invasive technique performed as day-case surgery, all patients were able to start mobilisation immediately. The general outcome was good hand function with few complications.
Back pain affects 70% of the population in developed countries and accounts for 13% of sickness absence in the United Kingdom1. The clinical presentation might be taken less seriously and could result in significant morbidity and mortality. We did a retrospective observational study of patients admitted on an “acute” basis in our unit. Our aim was to identify the epidemiological proportion of patients who had significant life changing spinal conditions. 239 patients were admitted between January 2004 to December 2008 who presented with non traumatic back pain and related symptoms. The group of patients who had osteoporotic compression fractures were excluded. The mean age was 53.6 and patients were predominantly females. Disc protrusions and degenerative conditions accounted for majority of the patients. Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) and Cord compressions together contributed to 7.9% and 8.7% respectively. The mean length of stay was 10.4 days and the average wait for MRI scan was 2.4 days. Among the patients who present with back pain in the primary care setting, 3% have disc protrusions and 1% neoplastic lesions1. But the epidemiological distribution among the back pain admissions in the hospital setting is not very clear. Medico legal costs especially with CES are quite substantial2 and hence it would be useful to know the volume of patients with potential disabling lesions. Our study reveals that a significant proportion of patients who had to be admitted with back pain and especially those having red flag signs have serious spinal pathologies. Early diagnosis and timely intervention could prevent unwarranted morbidity and mortality.
Non-scar related numbness corresponded to the innervation of the branches of the Saphenous nerve. Only 39% of patients with non-scar related numbness and 47% with scar related numbness recovered completely. None of the patients who had numbness of the entire shin recovered. Interestingly only 3 patients reported that this numbness bothered them.
