A boxer’s fracture is the common name for a fracture at the neck of the bones which form the knuckles of the hand. The fracture usually occurs at the neck of the fifth metacarpal, which forms the knuckle of the little finger, but the same name may also be used for a fracture at the neck of any of the metacarpals. This injury is also known as the brawler’s fracture; a fracture of the neck of the fifth or fourth metacarpal can also be called a bar room fracture.

The typical symptoms of a boxer’s fracture are pain or tenderness centered in a specific location on the hand corresponding to one of the metacarpal bones, around the knuckle. You may also note pain with movement of your hand or fingers.

When a bone is broken, you may experience a snapping or popping sensation in the affected bone.
Your hand may swell, discolor, or bruise around the injury site. Deformity of the broken bone or the knuckle, may also be noted. There may also be abnormal movement of the broken bone fragments. The doctor may be able to produce pain by pressing on the broken bone. In addition, pain can be produced by grabbing the finger that attaches to the metacarpal bone that was hurt and pushing it inward toward the broken bone.
If you make a fist with the affected hand, the doctor may notice misalignment of the associated finger. The doctor may see a deformity of the broken bone. When making a fist, the finger involved may bend toward the thumb more than is usual. This is known as rotation, and, though not always seen, its presence may indicate the possibility of a more serious type of boxer’s fracture.

These fractures are often angulated, and if severely so require pins to be put in place and realignment as well as the usual splinting. However, the prognosis on these fractures is generally good, with total healing time not exceeding 12 weeks. The first two weeks will show significantly reduced overall swelling with improvement in clenching ability showing up first. Ability to extend the fingers in all directions appears to improve more slowly. Hard casts are rarely required and soft casts or splints can be removed for brief periods of time to allow for activities such as showers and “airing out” the cast or splinted area so as to avoid skin rotting and permit cleansing of the cast or splinted area. Pain from this injury is generally very mild and rarely requires medications beyond over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Muscle atrophy in isolated areas of 5 to 15 percent should be expected with a rehabilitation period of approximately 4 months given adequate therapy. In the mildest of cases, full rehabilitation status can be achieved within 3 to 4 months.

Healing time for boxer’s fracture usually takes 6-9 weeks unless you have diabetes or something.If your fracture is serious you may need surgery and this is important.

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