Bennett's Fracture 815.01

synonyms:

Bennett's Fx ICD-9

  • 815.01(closed fracture base of thumb metacarpal)
  • 815.11(open fracture base of thumb metacarpal)
  • 815.00 (closed metacarpal fracture; unspecified)

Bennett's Fx Etiology / Epidemiology / Natural History

  • Intra-articular avulsion fracture of the volar-oblique ligament of the the thumb CMC joint.

Bennett's Fx Anatomy

  • Abductor pollicis longus and adductor pollicis displace the metacarpal radially and proximally.
  • Anterior oblique ligament remains attached to fracture fragment.
  • Bennett fragment is the volar-ulnar aspect of the metacarpal base.

Bennett's Fx Clinical Evaluation

  • Pain, swelling, ecchymosis at the thumb MC base.
  • Document neurovascular exam.

Bennett's Fx Xray / Diagnositc Tests

  • P/A, lateral and oblique views of the thumb.
  • True lateral view: palmar surface of the hand is placed flat on cassette; hand and wrist are pronated 15°-35° . Tube directed obliquely 15°distal-to-proximal, centered over the trapeziometacarpal joint (Billing L, Acta Radiol1952; 38:471).

Bennett's Fx Classification / Treatment

  • Bennett fragment < 20% of the articular surface: CRPP. Drill K-wire obliquely across the thumb the trapeziometacarpal joint while the the fracture is reduced by extending and pronating the metacarpal while longitudinal traction and downward pressure are applied to the metacarpal base.
  • Bennett fragment>20% of the articular surface:ORIF. Wagner incision between the abductor pollicis longus and the thenar muscles, extended proximally and radially to the radial border of the flexor carpi radialis. Reflect thenar muscles subperiosteally, incise joint capsule. Debride hematoma from fx site. Reduce fx. Fix with 2.0- or 2.7-mm lag screw.
  • see also AO Foundation.
  • >1mm malunion=arthritis

Bennett's Fx Associated Injuries / Differential Diagnosis

Bennett's Fx Complications

  • Infection
  • Malunion
  • Arthritis
  • Stiffness / Contracture
  • Nonunion
  • Pain
  • Painful hardware

Bennett's Fx Follow-up Care

  • Post-op: Thumb spica splint, elevation, NWB
  • 7-10 Days: Wound check, Thumb spica cast
  • 6 Weeks: K-wire removal, begin ROM exercises provided union is evident on xray.
  • 3 Months: Evaluated ROM. Sport specific rehab.
  • 6 Months:
  • 1Yr: f/u xrays, Assess outcome.

Bennett's Fx Review References

Disclaimer

The information on this website is intended for orthopaedic surgeons.  It is not intended for the general public. The information on this website may not be complete or accurate.  The eORIF website is not an authoritative reference for orthopaedic surgery or medicine and does not represent the "standard of care".  While the information on this site is about health care issues and sports medicine, it is not medical advice. People seeking specific medical advice or assistance should contact a board certified physician.  See Site Terms / Full Disclaimer.