# Neck of the 5th metacarpal head retrograde screwing with a headless screw after a recurrent fracture on osteosynthesis pins: a case report

## TL;DR

A soldier with a recurring hand fracture was successfully treated using a new screwing technique, allowing full recovery in six weeks.

## Contribution

This is the first reported use of headless screw osteosynthesis for recurrent 5th metacarpal neck fractures.

## Key findings

- The headless screw technique successfully treated a bent pin and recurrent fracture in a military patient.
- The patient returned to unrestricted activities within six weeks post-surgery.
- The method shows practical benefits for short-term functional recovery in similar cases.

## Abstract

This paper reports the technique we used to treat a recurrent fracture of the neck of the 5th metacarpal with bending of the pin that was still present in the patient bone.

A 26-year-old soldier presents to the emergency department following a direct trauma on the right hand. This patient had already presented a similar trauma one year ago with a fracture of the 5th metacarpal neck treated by intramedullary pins according to Foucher technique's. X-rays showed a recurrent fracture of the 5th metacarpal neck with pins bended. It was decided to remove the material with a change of osteosynthesis technique by intramedullary screwing with a headless screw. This allowed a return to work and activities without restriction 6 weeks after surgery.

to our knowledge this is the first publication dealing with management of recurrent fracture of 5th metacarpal neck. This technique provides excellent outcome and a low risk of complication.

This simple and original technique for revision osteosynthesis of a fracture the 5th metacarpal neck gives good short-term results and is interesting from a practical and functional point of view in the military patients.

•We received in the E.D a soldier with an iterative fracture of the 5th metacarpe.•X-rays showed that his osteosynthesis pin was bended.•We performed a one-stage surgery with placement of a centro medullary screw to treat and prevent a new fracture.

We received in the E.D a soldier with an iterative fracture of the 5th metacarpe.

X-rays showed that his osteosynthesis pin was bended.

We performed a one-stage surgery with placement of a centro medullary screw to treat and prevent a new fracture.