$Illustration of hand fractures being healed by tiny robots.$

Hand Fracture Fixes: Get Back to Life Faster!

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 3 min read.

"Surgical solutions for metacarpal and phalangeal fractures can speed recovery and restore function. Discover when surgery is the best option."

Fractures of the metacarpals and phalanges, the small bones in your hands, are incredibly common, making up about 10% of all fractures. These injuries frequently affect the active, with the highest incidence among those aged 10 to 40. Historically, many have considered these fractures minor, assuming they're stable and heal well with conservative treatment. While this is true for some undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures, it doesn't apply to all cases.

Today's active lifestyles and demanding professions often require more than just basic healing. When fractures don't meet the criteria for conservative care, surgical intervention becomes a viable option. Surgery aims to stabilize the fracture, allowing for quicker rehabilitation and a faster return to daily activities.

Dr. Alfred Swanson, a pioneer in hand surgery, once noted that hand fractures could lead to complications, including deformities from inadequate treatment, stiffness from overtreatment, and bone malformations and stiffness from incorrect treatment. These words highlight the importance of choosing the right approach to ensure optimal healing and function.

Why Surgical Treatment is Gaining Popularity

Illustration of hand fractures being healed by tiny robots.

The increased popularity of surgical treatment for hand fractures in recent years can be attributed to several factors. Advancements in materials, implant designs, and surgical instruments have made procedures less invasive and more effective. Public expectations for faster and more complete recovery have also risen. Improved diagnostic imaging, the availability of specialized hand surgeons, advances in anesthesia, and better physiotherapy techniques all contribute to the shift towards surgical solutions.

The primary goal of any treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical, is to restore rapid and complete hand function. The chosen method should be the most appropriate for each individual case, balancing the benefits of surgery with potential risks. Overly aggressive surgical interventions can lead to soft tissue damage, tendon adhesions, infections, and the need for further surgeries. Surgical fixation should be carefully considered, with the hope of achieving results that are as good as, or better than, those of conservative treatment.

According to hand surgery expert Dr. Stern, key indications for surgical treatment include:

Irreducible fractures: Fractures that cannot be properly aligned without surgery.
Malrotation: Fractures where the bone fragments have twisted out of alignment.
Intra-articular fractures: Fractures that extend into a joint.
Open fractures: Fractures where the bone has broken through the skin.

Specific types of fractures, such as those involving the base of the thumb (Bennett's and Rolando's fractures), often require surgical intervention to restore stability and function. These fractures, if not properly treated, can lead to significant long-term problems. A key example is a diaphyseal fracture of the 5th metacarpal, where even slight displacement or rotation can cause issues if not corrected promptly.

Achieving the Best Outcomes

Ultimately, successful management of hand fractures depends on careful surgical technique, appropriate incisions, gentle handling of soft tissues, and the selection of the right fixation method. When surgery is necessary, it should be performed by experienced surgeons. Proper rehabilitation is equally important for restoring function and preventing long-term complications. By combining skillful surgery with dedicated post-operative care, patients can achieve optimal outcomes and regain full use of their hands.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1055/s-0037-1606771, Alternate LINK

Title: Tratamiento Quirúrgico De Las Fracturas De Metacarpianos Y Falanges

Journal: Revista Iberoamericana de Cirugía de la Mano

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG

Authors: R. Barea

Published: 2010-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

How common are metacarpal and phalangeal fractures, and why is surgical intervention sometimes considered?

Fractures of the metacarpals and phalanges are common injuries, especially among active individuals aged 10 to 40. While some undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures heal well with conservative treatment, this isn't always the case. Factors such as demanding lifestyles and professions often necessitate quicker and more complete recovery, making surgical options a viable consideration when conservative treatment isn't sufficient.

What factors have contributed to the increased popularity of surgical treatment for hand fractures?

Surgical treatment is gaining popularity due to advancements in materials, implant designs, and surgical instruments, making procedures less invasive and more effective. Increased public expectations for faster and more complete recovery, along with improvements in diagnostic imaging, specialized hand surgeons, anesthesia, and physiotherapy techniques, also contribute to this shift.

When is surgical treatment typically recommended for metacarpal and phalangeal fractures?

Key indications for surgical treatment include irreducible fractures (fractures that cannot be properly aligned without surgery), malrotation (fractures where the bone fragments have twisted out of alignment), intra-articular fractures (fractures that extend into a joint), and open fractures (fractures where the bone has broken through the skin). Specific fractures like Bennett's and Rolando's fractures at the base of the thumb often require surgical intervention.

What complications did Dr. Alfred Swanson highlight regarding the treatment of hand fractures, and what is the primary goal of any treatment approach?

Dr. Alfred Swanson emphasized that inadequate treatment of hand fractures can lead to deformities, overtreatment can cause stiffness, and incorrect treatment can result in bone malformations and stiffness. Therefore, choosing the right treatment approach is critical to ensure optimal healing and function. The primary goal is to restore rapid and complete hand function, balancing the benefits of surgery with potential risks, while avoiding overly aggressive interventions that can cause soft tissue damage, tendon adhesions, or infections.

What are the key components to achieving the best outcomes in hand fracture management, and can you provide an example?

Achieving the best outcomes in managing metacarpal and phalangeal fractures involves careful surgical technique, appropriate incisions, gentle handling of soft tissues, and selecting the right fixation method. Experienced surgeons should perform surgery when necessary, and proper rehabilitation is equally important to restore function and prevent long-term complications. For example, a diaphyseal fracture of the 5th metacarpal, even with slight displacement or rotation, needs prompt correction to avoid long-term issues.