Abstract
Bennett described the fracture-dislocation of the thumb metacarpal that bears his name in 1882 and again in 1886 (Fig. 10-1 A). When this injury occurs, the abductor pollicis longus pulls the thumb metacarpal proximally, dislocating it and causing an adducted posture of the thumb and consequent narrowing of the thumb-web space. Should the fracture-dislocation remain in this position or be inadequately reduced, circumduction of the trapeziometacarpal joint will be compromised, and painful posttraumatic arthritis can be anticipated later. Each of these unfortunate conditions will compromise pinch, grasp, and grip. Accurate restoration of the joint surface of the metacarpal is necessary if one is to avoid these troublesome consequences.
This patient sustained a Bennett’s fracture in a fistfight.
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© 1986 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
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Freeland, A.E., Jabaley, M.E., Hughes, J.L. (1986). Bennett’s Fracture. In: Stable Fixation of the Hand and Wrist. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8640-7_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8640-7_10
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-8642-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-8640-7
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