Metacarpal Fracture

What is a metacarpal? The metacarpal is a bone in the hand that makes up the palm of the hand, they are the the longest bones of the hand.
The most common hand fracture is known as the Boxer’s Fracture (aka: bar room fracture, brawlers fracture) which is when the neck of the 5th metacarpal (small finger) is broken (AAOS, 2021). This injury often occurs when someone impacts a closed fist in to a hard surface… such as a face.. or a wall. Other fractures can include the head, shaft, or base of the metacarpal.
Symptoms

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain or Sensitivity
• Instability
• Deformity (AAOS, 2018)

Treatments
Treatments differ based on the severity of the fractures of the MC. Some might only require a compressive dressing or cast, and others might require surgical intervention which would also require a cast or orthotic (splint).
For the non invasive approach (Closed Reduction) where no surgical procedures are performed, the physician simply realigns the bones by snapping them back into alignment. The individual is placed in a cast or splint, and are typically encouraged to maintain motion in the effected digits through gentle passive and active motion to the joints not confined by the cast or splint.