ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism and the treatment of acute incarcerated metacarpophalangeal dislocation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven patients (6 male and 1 female) with acute incarcerated metacarpophalangeal dislocation admitted from 1997 to 2006 were studied retrospectively. The age ranged from 8 to 33 years(mean 17 years). All the types were the dorsal dislocation. The dislocation were occurred on index finger in 3 cases, thumb in 2 cases, middle finger in 1 case and small finger in 1 case.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up from 3 to 42 months with an average time of 21 months. Operative finding revealed the rupture of volar capsule and entrapment of metacarpal head. The joint function and postoperative X-ray showed anatomical reduction were good in all the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Repeated manipulative reduction should not be advocated if the close reduction was not successful. In order to avoid influencing the joint function,early open reduction of acute complex metacarpophalangeal dislocation is necessary.</p>