Article Information

Charalampos Pitsilos^1*, Theofylaktos Kyriakidis^1,2, Konstantinos Chitas¹, Konstantinos Ditsios¹

¹Second Orthopaedic Department Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, G. Gennimatas Hospital, Ethnikis Aminis 41, 54635, Thessaloniki, Greece

²Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium

^*Corresponding Author: Charalampos Pitsilos, Second Orthopaedic Department Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, G. Gennimatas Hospital, Ethnikis Aminis 41, 54635, Thessaloniki, Greece

Received: 30 May 2022; Accepted: 06 June 2022; Published: 17 June 2022

Citation: Charalampos Pitsilos, Theofylaktos Kyriakidis, Konstantinos Chitas, Konstantinos Ditsios. Dorsal Second and Third Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocation: A Case Report. Journal of Surgery and Research 5 (2022): 346-351.

Abstract

Keywords

Carpometacarpal Joint, Dorsal, Joint Dislocation, Hand

Article Details

1. Introduction

Dislocation of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joints are rare injuries in the hand [1]. Dorsal dislocations are the most frequently reported [2]. Stronger dorsal ligaments and wrist extensor restraints cause failure of the bone dorsally with subsequent rupture of the volar ligaments, allowing for dorsal dislocations to occur more commonly than volar once [3]. In most cases, treatment of such injuries requires closed reduction with percutaneous pinning or open reduction and internal fixation [4]. The purpose of this report was to present a patient with second and third CMC dorsal dislocation, an unusual injury pattern, who was satisfactorily treated with closed reduction and Kirschner-wire (K-wire) fixation.

2. Case Report

A 28-year-old male presented a right-hand injury after a direct trauma during a fight. He complained of oedema, pain, and functional limitation of the injured hand. The clinical examination revealed a significant soft tissue swelling over the dorsal surface of the hand (Figure 1), tenderness over the base of the second and third metacarpals, and limitation of both active and passive range of motion. Standard radiographs demonstrated a dorsal dislocation of the second and third CMC joints with proximal migration of the second and third metacarpal (Figure 2). The hand was well perfused, and no signs of neurologic impairment were found. External maneuvers for reduction were performed by applying longitudinal traction to the involved rays, under local anesthesia, in the emergency room. Afterward, radiographs were taken to verify the reduction. However, an anatomical reduction of the joints was not obtained and thus, a computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed. Dorsal subluxation of both CMC joins and avulsion fracture of the volar base of both metacarpals were identified (Figure 3). Hence, surgical treatment from an expert in hand surgery was decided. In the operating room, under general anesthesia, a closed manipulation was attempted in the form of exaggerating the deformity and maneuvering a gentle distally directed force over the subluxated second and third metacarpal base. Under fluoroscopy guidance, both CMC joints were stabilized with two crossed 1.6 mm K-wires each (Figure 4). A short arm cast was applied for four weeks after which the K-wires were removed and rehabilitation instituted. Over the 12 months of follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence or signs of degenerative changes (Figure 5). The patient was satisfied about the outcome, regained full range of motion with no functional deficit and returned to pre-injury activities.

Figure 1: Swelling on the dorsal aspect of the right hand.

Figure 2: Postero-anterior (A) and oblique (B) radiographs of the right hand showing a dislocation of the second and third CMC joints. Metacarpal cascade lines are not focused to a common spot proximally to radial articular surface (C).

Figure 3: CT images of the right hand demonstrating dorsal subluxation of the second and third CMC joint (A). Avulsion fracture of the base of the second (B) and third (C) metatarsal are obvious (white arrows).

Figure 4: Intraoperative postero-anterior (A) and oblique (B) radiographs of the right hand showing reduction of the CMC joints and K-wire fixation in a crossed manner.

Figure 5: At 12 months, postoperative postero-anterior (A) and oblique (B) radiographs of the right hand showing reduced second and third CMC joints. Metacarpal cascade lines are focused to a common spot proximally to radial articular surface (C).

3. Discussion

This case report presents a patient with concomitant second and third CMC dislocation, treated successfully with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. This is a rare injury pattern with a scarcity of published cases [5]. CMC joint dislocations are uncommon, representing less than 1% of all hand trauma [1]. This traumatic pathology tends to be related to high-energy mechanism, including motor-vehicle accident and fall from height; still, lower energy mechanism, such as punching, as in our case, has also been described [6]. The direct injury usually results in posterior dislocation of the metacarpal base following a flexion force subjected to the metacarpal head. In contrast, the indirect injury may result in hyperextension force causing anterior dislocation [3,7]. The second and third CMC joints are very rigid compared to the fourth and fifth CMC joints, which have greater mobility due to their saddle configuration combined with looser ligamentous attachments [8]. Generally, second and third CMC dislocations are fracture dislocations, resulted from avulsion of the attached ligaments [9], as in the present case. Dislocations are classified according to the direction of deformity as dorsal or volar, with a higher rate of the former, as the dorsal interosseous ligaments are stronger against their volar counterparts [2]. They are presented with a bump or dimple deformity of the dorsal aspect of the hand, respectively [7]. However, diagnosis of CMC dislocations may be complicated on initial examination by the significant soft tissue swelling and the poorly visualized injury on posteroanterior radiographs. On these radiographs, a method of investigation is the inspection of metacarpal cascade lines, which are superimposed through the central longitudinal axis of each metacarpal and typically focus on a common spot proximally to the radiocarpal joint. In the case of CMC dislocation, these lines diverge. While dislocations are usually evident on lateral or oblique views, they may be challenging to identify in cases of minimal subluxation or inadequate visualization due to improper positioning. In doubt, a computed tomography (CT) is recommended [10]. In our case, the initial diagnosis was evident after the radiographic evaluation; still, the CT demonstrated both the avulsion fracture of the base of metacarpals and the dorsal subluxation of CMC joints after the initial attempt of reduction indicated surgical treatment. The main goal of treatment of CMC dislocation is the successful return to former activity with a functional and pain-free hand [6]. This is achieved by the restoration of articular anatomy which preserves mobility and prevents further displacement,  instability and post-traumatic arthritis. Immediate reduction is essential for the better outcome, and closed reduction can be achieved in acute dislocations [4]. Successful conservative treatment of isolated second CMC dislocation or concomitant second through fourth CMC dislocations with closed reduction and immobilization in short arm splint have been reported [7]. As recurrent dislocation occurs most commonly in the first two weeks, a weekly radiographic evaluation is recommended in such cases [4]. However, in literature, surgical treatment has been preferred in concomitant second and third CMC dislocation. Operative management includes closed reduction and percutaneous pinning and open reduction and osteosynthesis with K-wires [5,7]. Open reduction is recommended in cases of unsuccessful closed reduction due to soft tissue interposition, contractures from delayed presentation or diagnosis, and displaced avulsion fractures of ligaments or extrinsic tendons [6]. Postoperatively, immobilization is initiated and may last from 3 to 8 weeks, after which the K-wires are removed and range of motion exercises are instituted [7]. In our case, closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation was applied, as the injury was acute and reduction was achievable, and immobilization lasted for four weeks, followed by K-wire removal and rehabilitation. Dorsal dislocation of the second and third CMC joints compromises rare injuries. They may be missed in an acute setting, and swelling around the wrist with painful restriction of motion should alert the clinician towards the possibility of such injuries. On standard postero-anterior view, overlap of joint surfaces and asymmetry at the CMC joints should raise suspicion of a subtle injury, which can be confirmed with a CT scan. Given that there is a lack of published cases and the appropriate treatment is controversial, we reported a case early diagnosed and successfully treated with closed reduction and K-wire fixation.

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