Prognosis
If intraarticular trapeziometacarpal fractures (such as the Bennett's or Rolando fractures) are allowed to heal in a displaced position, significant post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the base of the thumb is virtually assured. Some form of surgical treatment (typically either a CRPP or a ORIF) is nearly always recommended to ensure a satisfactory outcome for these fractures, if there is signicant displacement.
The long-term outcome after surgical treatment appears to be similar, whether the CRPP or the ORIF approach is used. Specifically, the overall strength of the affected hand is typically diminished, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis tends to develop in almost all cases. The degree of weakness and the severity of osteoarthritis does however appear to correlate with the quality of reduction of the fracture. Therefore, the goal of treatment of Bennett's fracture should be to achieve the most precise reduction possible, whether by the CRPP or the ORIF approach.
Read more about this topic: Bennett's Fracture