Buried Intramedullary K-wire Fixation Compared With Plate and Screw Fixation for Metacarpal Fractures in Unstable Extra-Articular Metacarpal Fractures

Inclusion Criteria: * The patient has an unstable extra-articular metacarpal fracture that meets operative indications * Informed consent is obtained from the patient or proxy * Male or female who are 16 years of age or older Exclusion Criteria: * If the patients range of motion was decreased prior to injury (previous upper extremity injury, osteoarthritis, etc.) * Pathological Fracture * Greater than 21 days from fracture to definitive open reduction and internal fixation * If contamination or wounds from open fractures do not permit standardized buried intramedullary fixation or plate and screw fixation * Highly comminuted diaphyseal fractures * Articular fractures * Multiple fractures involving bones other than another metacarpal in the same upper extremity * The patient had a previous upper extremity injury that has limited hand function or finger range of motion