Rolando fracture

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Motorcycle accident. Intoxicated polytrauma patient (clinical signs of use of alcohol). Swollen right hand upon physical examination.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Intra-articular comminuted fracture of the base of the thumb metacarpal. This describes a Rolando fracture.

Midshaft fracture of the second metacarpal.

Case Discussion

Rolando fractures are comminuted intra-articular fractures of the thumb metacarpal.

These fractures are usually associated with axial loading with the thumb in partial flexion, such a mechanism of trauma is not uncommon to happen in motorcycle accidents.

Rolando fractures oftentimes demand operative management. 

Rolando fractures are classified as Green and O'Brien type II fractures.

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