Single versus dual elastic nails for closed reduction and antegrade intramedullary nailing of displaced fifth metacarpal neck fractures

Closed reduction and internal fixation with antegrade intramedullary nails is a feasible and effective treatment for displaced fifth metacarpal neck fractures (FMNFs). The present study aimed to compare clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with displaced FMNFs after treatment with single or dual antegrade elastic intramedullary nails (AEIMNs). Thirty-three patients were treated with a single 2.0 mm AEIMN and 34 patients were treated with two 1.5 mm AEIMNs. Clinical and radiological outcomes included grip strength, active range of motion (ROM), active flexion and extension of the fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, dorsal angulation loss, and metacarpal shortening of the fifth metacarpal at 12 months after treatment. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to grip strength, ROM or flexion of the fifth MCP joint. The average values of dorsal angulation loss, metacarpal shortening, and extension of the fifth MCP joint of the dual nails group were better than those of the single nail group (dorsal angulation loss, 2.79 ± 1.93° vs. 4.05 ± 1.59°, P = 0.009; metacarpal shortening, 1.66 ± 0.80 mm vs. 2.12 ± 0.88 mm, P = 0.028; extension of the fifth MCP joint, 7.71 ± 4.43° vs. 4.82 ± 4.09°, P = 0.012). In conclusion, dual AEIMNs fixation provided better MCP extension and radiological outcomes than single AEIMN fixation.