Dislocated Metacarpal

[Dalton Rankin]

I dislocated my fourth metacarpal (ring finger) proximally today. I originally thought that I had broken it, but X-rays showed no fracture. ER doctor reduced the joint and placed my hand in a soft cast to prevent another dislocation. He called a hand/wrist surgeon--who has worked on me before and done a solid job--but the surgeon recommended that I have the fourth metacarpal pinned to the carpals until it has some time to heal. Then I heard Rip say in my head, "After all, he is a doctor." Is this surgery necessary? Has anyone on these boards experienced something like this? I would be grateful for any information that the moderators or anyone else has to offer.

[Will Morris]

I dislocated my fourth metacarpal (ring finger) proximally today. I originally thought that I had broken it, but X-rays showed no fracture. ER doctor reduced the joint and placed my hand in a soft cast to prevent another dislocation. He called a hand/wrist surgeon--who has worked on me before and done a solid job--but the surgeon recommended that I have the fourth metacarpal pinned to the carpals until it has some time to heal. Then I heard Rip say in my head, "After all, he is a doctor." Is this surgery necessary? Has anyone on these boards experienced something like this? I would be grateful for any information that the moderators or anyone else has to offer.

Succinctly, the answer to whether this is necessary or not is this: probably. I think this is a reasonable course of action. Had I suffered the same injury, I would opt to have the pin placed.

[Dalton Rankin]

Succinctly, the answer to whether this is necessary or not is this: probably. I think this is a reasonable course of action. Had I suffered the same injury, I would opt to have the pin placed.

Thank you for the reply, sir. I am going to have the surgery tomorrow, and I imagine that it is fairly straightforward.