An Evaluation of the Metacarpal Sign (Short Fourth Metacarpal)

Short fourth metacarpal bones have been detected clinically in 9.6% of an unselected group of 1,510 patients over the age of 6 years. Ten percent false positives were noted, based on x-ray examination of some of the subjects. The maximum shortening noted was 3 mm clinically and 2.5 mm on x-ray. No endocrine abnormalities were associated with the shortening noted in this group.