A complete dislocation of the thumb metacarpal

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Hand surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Multiple dislocations of a single finger are exceedingly rare in medical literature.
• Thumb metacarpal dislocations are particularly uncommon, with complete instances being even rarer.

Observation:

• A case of complete thumb metacarpal dislocation in a 9-year-old patient is presented.
• The patient experienced a traumatic event leading to the dislocation.

Findings:

• The patient achieved a full recovery with no residual pain or weakness.
• A 9-year follow-up confirmed a normal-appearing and fully functional hand.
• This represents the first reported case of complete thumb metacarpal dislocation.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of rare hand injuries and their management.
• It highlights the potential for excellent long-term outcomes even with severe dislocations.
• Suggests that non-operative or conservative management may be successful in specific cases of thumb metacarpal dislocation.