-2 :: Topic - 7160 :: :: ::
Medical Image Database, Atlas, and Teaching File
All Topics are Peer Reviewed by an Editorial Panel

Bennett’s fracture dislocation is touted by some to be the most common fracture of the thumb. It is an intra-articular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal. The usually mechanism associated with this injury is axial loading with slight flexion of the carpal metacarpal joint (i.e. a punch delivered by an inexperienced brawler). The distal fragment of the metacarpal is displaced in a radial, dorsal, and proximal direction subsequent to the initial fracture by the pull of the abductor pollicus longus. The proximal fragment remains attached to the trapezium via the anterior oblique ligament. Treatment options include simple casting, closed reduction with pinning or ORIF is there is more than 3mm displacement. The later two of these treatment options help prevent post traumatic arthritis of the joint.

Rolando's fracture is a comminuted fracture at the base of the first metacarpal, a more severe form injury secondary to the same mechanism of injury as stated above.

Bennett's fracture dislocation should not be confused with a Bennett lesion of the shoulder, which is a extra-articular posterior ossification associated with posterior labral injuries.