Maintaining Stability in Metacarpal Ray Amputations: A Novel Technique Using Cortical Suspensory Button Fixation

Maintaining stability and function in the hand after major traumatic injury remains a significant challenge for surgeons. Ray resection has shown promise in quality of life in patients with dysfunctional digits resulting from prior trauma, ischemia, malignancy, infection, and congenital abnormalities. Ray resection may serve as a viable salvage procedure for persistent digit dysfunction following unsuccessful preservation of the digit. We present the case of a 42-year-old man manual laborer who sustained a zone 3 flexor tendon laceration in the long-finger. Over several years, multiple tendon repairs and revision attempts were unsuccessful. Ultimately, the patient underwent long-finger ray resection at the metacarpal base, with cortical suspensory button fixation applied to the adjacent metacarpals. After surgery, the patient regained hand function and reported excellent satisfaction with the outcome.