Defining Nonunion for Metacarpal Fractures: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Our purpose was to assess how nonunion of the metacarpals has been defined in prior investigations with respect to both clinical and radiographic criteria. We hypothesized that the definitions of nonunion would be highly variable.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase databases for clinical articles related to the treatment of metacarpal fractures (surgical and nonsurgical) from 2010 to 2021. Included articles were searched to assess how nonunion was defined based on clinical and radiographic criteria. We assessed the treatment type, method of union assessment, time to union, and incidence of union as well as article factors such as the following: date of publication, level of evidence, and publishing journal.

Results

A total of 64

SUBMITTER: Hayes DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10543803 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature