[Fractures of the trapezium]

The authors report a retrospective study of eight cases of trapezium fractures. There were seven male and one female patient aged 21 to 48 years. The presumed mechanism of injury was established in only four cases. Clinical trapeziometacarpal abnormality was always present. The diagnosis was made on standard radiographs in seven cases, computed tomography was used in one case. The fracture was simple, vertical and lateral in five cases, complex in one case and consisted in a lateral avulsion in two cases. An associated Bennett's fracture was present in five cases. The treatment was conservative in two cases. Internal fixation was performed in four cases (3 using a lag screw, 1 using a Kirschner wire) and transosseous reinsertion in two cases. With an average follow-up of 3 years (1 year-6 years), open reduction and internal fixation appears to be simple and to give good or excellent results.