Background: Fractures of the 5th metacarpal bone is a common hand injury. For restoration of function and cosmoses in certain unstable fracture patterns, displaced and angulated fractures, open injuries, Percutaneous fixation could be applied to 5th metacarpal using K-wires.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the results of pastic tubing cover of spinal needle external fixation method in the management of 5^th metacarpals fractures of the hand.

Materials and Methods: A prospective study held from January 2016 to January 2017in Govt Medical College Srinagar Hospital. Twenty patients having unstable 5^th metacarpal fractures were included in the study with mechanism of injury were fighting (boxer fracture), road traffic accidents, fall on the ground and industrial crush injuries. Inclusion criteria were irreducible or unstable fracture, rotational deformity, comminuted fractures and open fractures. 12 patients were males, and 8 patients were females with mean age of 32 years. In 12 patients the right hand was affected while in 8 patients fracture affect the left hand. 16 patients have neck fracture, 2 patients have shaft fracture and 2 patients have comminuted fracture.

Result: Fracture healed within 6-8 weeks. The mean follow up period was 6 months. At the final follow-up, the mean TAM was 230°. The mean grip strength of injured hand 90% of the non-injured side strength, average Quick Dash score was 6 (±3.5). 15 patients were very satisfied (75%) and 5 patients were satisfied (25%).The mean visual analogue score for pain was 1.5. 3 patients presented superficial pin tract infection at the site of K-wire insertion 2 patients united with mild angulation of the 5th metacarpal.

Conclusion: Treatment of unstable fracture of the 5th metacarpal bone using plastic tubing cover fixator is a good option with low cost and good functional outcome.

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Mohd Ahsan Wani
GMC Srinagar Kashmir, India