[Middle-hand and finger fractures]

An account is given in this paper of 299 metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. Cases of that kind have a negative impact on the absence-for-illness record in national economy. Careful conservative therapy based on clear-cut concepts and unambiguous indications for surgery are considered necessary for the purpose of shortening absence periods. Conservative treatment still is applied to most of all phalangeal fractures (94 per cent); while less than 25 per cent of all metacarpal fractures are successfully handled by surgery.