Four open metacarpophalangeal joint dislocations

Abstract

Multiple dislocations of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint are uncommon, and those that are open are always complex and need a surgical intervention for reduction. Metacarpophalangeal joint dislocations are often closed. Cases of open dislocations at the volar side of the hand that presents with skin tearing are exceedingly rare and are of a complex type. These should be urgently reduced following surgical debridement, and surgical reconstruction should be performed if necessary. In this report, we describe a 55-year-old male right-hand dominant mason that presented with open volar dislocations of the second, third, fourth, and fifth MCP joints after a fall on his outstretched hand. In conclusion, high-energy blunt trauma to the MCP joint can seriously affect hand functions when appropriate treatment is delayed, and therefore, it is an accepted principle that definitive reconstruction should be done as quickly as possible to obtain optimal functional results.

The author declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The author received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

Special thanks to Mr. Onur Öztürk for his tireless assistance at photographs taken and operative assistance. The author would also like to thank native English editor, Dr. Russell Fraser, for editing the article.