Management of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures

Hand fractures are the most common fractures in orthopedic surgery. In most cases, conservative treatment is sufficient for stable fractures, but surgical treatment is required for unstable fractures, fractures that cannot be maintained after reduction, and fractures with severe soft tissue injuries. In the management of hand fractures, the focus should be on restoring the function of the hand after fracture healing. Rapid rehabilitation exercises are an important factor in restoring the function of the hand by reducing swelling at the fracture site, preventing joint stiffness, and reducing soft tissue adhesion. Therefore, conservative treatment that can minimize soft tissue damage is usually prioritized, and in specific situations, if surgical intervention can help facilitate early rehabilitation exercises, then it could be a desirable choice. This review article aims to help readers decide on a treatment method by presenting various treatment methods for hand fractures and the academic basis for those options.