Functional taping of fractures of the 5th metacarpal results in a quicker recovery

Fractures of the fifth metacarpal can be treated non-operatively by plaster immobilisation or functional taping. Ill order to evaluate the better treatment policy, the two methods were compared in a prospective randomised series. We treated 25 patients with an ulnar gutter plaster-cast splintage and 25 with functional tape. Functional recovery was evaluated after one week and four weeks, three months and sir months. Mobility, power-grip, pulling-and torque strengths were measured. The change ill fracture angulation was calculated at the ol re and four-week follow-up. Residual symptoms were evaluated after sir months. The functional tape group showed significant earlier functional recovery. After six months, there were no significant differences between the groups with regard to functional and anatomical results or the number of patients with residual symptoms. In both groups, toe noted a change in fracture angulation only in those fractures that had been reduced. We conclude that fractures of the 5th metacarpal nle better treated by functional taping than by cast immobilisation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.