Satisfaction and functional outcome with "self-care" for the management of fifth metacarpal XXXX .

@entity1 @entity130 @entity174
BACKGROUND: Fifth metacarpal @entity174 are common and comprise a significant proportion of traditional orthopaedic @entity174 clinic workload. We reviewed the functional outcome and the satisfaction of @entity1 managed with a new protocol that promoted "self-care" and resulted in the discharge of most of these @entity1 from the emergency department with no further follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of @entity1 discharged with a fifth @entity174 between April 2012 to October 2012. A postal questionnaire was sent to each @entity1 , followed by a telephone call. @entity1 -reported outcome measures (EQ-5D, QuickDASH) and @entity1 satisfaction were assessed. Of the 167 @entity1 eligible for the study, 5 were excluded. Of the remaining 162, 64 were uncontactable or declined to participate. The mean follow-up time was 21.6  months (SD 1.9, range 18.1 to 24.7). RESULTS: The median EQ-5D health index score was 0.87 (IQR 0.74 to 1.00), and the median QuickDASH score was 2.3 (IQR 0 to 6.8). Seventy-nine (80.6  %) @entity1 were satisfied with the outcome of their injury, while 83 (84.9  %) reported being satisfied with the process. There was no difference between those with a @entity174 or those without a @entity174 in EQ-5D (p   =   0.307) or QuickDASH (p   =   0.820). CONCLUSION: Fifth metacarpal @entity174 can be managed effectively through an Emergency Department protocol without any formal orthopaedic follow-up. This pathway lead to excellent @entity1 -reported outcome measures and @entity1 satisfaction. This protocol has reduced unnecessary hospital attendances for @entity1 and increased the time available for clinicians to deal with more @entity130 .
