Abstract
U-shaped Kirschner wire transfixation is proposed as an effective treatment for Skier's thumb, a type of injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. This study compared the traditional Kirschner wire fixation method with the U-shaped Kirschner wire method for treating small bone fragments with displacement, rotation, or instability in skier's fractures. A retrospective study was conducted on 30 patients with skier's thumb treated at Tianjin Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A received traditional Kirschner wire fixation, while Group B received U-shaped Kirschner wire fixation. Both surgical methods significantly reduced postoperative pain and increased joint range of motion. Group B had a lower incidence of pain during follow-up and showed significant functional improvement in Tip-pinch and Grip tests compared to Group A. U-shaped Kirschner wire fixation significantly reduced complications during the perioperative period. The study concludes that U-shaped Kirschner wire internal fixation is a safe and effective treatment for thumb proximal phalanx base ulnar side avulsion fracture.
Key Questions
1. What is Skier's thumb?
Skier's thumb is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, which can result from a sudden, forceful movement or impact to the thumb. It is characterized by the separation of a bone fragment from the main bone mass at the base of the proximal phalanx. 2. What are the two treatment methods compared in this study?
The study compared the traditional Kirschner wire fixation method with the U-shaped Kirschner wire method for treating small bone fragments with displacement, rotation, or instability in skier's fractures. 3. What were the main findings of the study?
Both surgical methods significantly reduced postoperative pain and increased joint range of motion. However, the U-shaped Kirschner wire group (Group B) had a lower incidence of pain during follow-up and showed significant functional improvement in Tip-pinch and Grip tests compared to the traditional Kirschner wire group (Group A). U-shaped Kirschner wire fixation also significantly reduced complications during the perioperative period. 4. What is the conclusion of the study?
The study concludes that U-shaped Kirschner wire internal fixation is a safe and effective treatment for thumb proximal phalanx base ulnar side avulsion fracture, commonly known as Skier's thumb. 5. How was the study conducted?
The study was a retrospective analysis of 30 patients with skier's thumb treated at Tianjin Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A received traditional Kirschner wire fixation, while Group B received U-shaped Kirschner wire fixation. Functional assessments and complications during the perioperative period were evaluated.
