Boxer’s Fracture Specialists For Jefferson, Northern Lewis, & Southern St. Lawrence Counties
A boxer’s fracture is one of the most common hand injuries. It affects metacarpal bones in the pinky and can cause painful symptoms. The effects of a boxer’s fracture injury can range from mild to severe, making adequate treatment and pain management essential to the healing process. The medical team at Carthage Area Hospital provides personalized, comprehensive health care at locations in Jefferson, Northern Lewis, and Southern St. Lawrence counties. Learn more about boxer’s fractures and how Carthage Area Hospital can treat them.
What Is a Boxer’s Fracture?
Boxer’s fractures occur when the pinky finger experiences a break in the fifth metacarpal bone. It is a common injury among inexperienced boxers or those who punch hard objects. A patient can develop a boxer’s fracture if they punch a hard surface the wrong way using a closed fist. A less common cause is accidentally falling onto the hand and crushing the metacarpal bones while the fist is closed.
The metacarpal bones are important for connecting the fingers to the wrist, giving patients a typical, wide range of movement. When an injury develops in the metacarpal bones, it can become difficult to complete daily tasks without treatment. This is because the neck of the pinky’s metacarpal bone is extremely fragile, making it easy to fracture.
Boxer’s Fracture Symptoms
Because the severity and location of the fracture can differ, symptoms of a boxer’s fracture can be unique for each patient. Some individuals may only experience mild aches, while others can have debilitating pain. The most common signs of a boxer’s fracture include:
- Inability to move the pinky or the fourth finger freely
- Swelling or bruising on the hand
- Unaligned pinky finger
- Pain on the back of the hand near the pinky
- Pinky begins to fold over other fingers
- Trouble straightening the pinky
Diagnosing a Boxer’s Fracture
To diagnose a boxer’s fracture, physicians first ask questions about symptoms along with an explanation of how the injury occurred. Next, they ask about personal and family medical history to rule out other conditions. Finally, they complete a full examination of the hand, looking for signs such as:
- Skin breaks
- Pain
- Range of motion
- Strength
- Misalignment
The last step in the diagnosis process involves the use of medical imaging. Once a physician suspects the presence of a boxer’s fracture injury, they schedule an appointment for patients to receive an X-ray. This allows physicians to take a closer, more detailed look at the bones, their shape, and any other problems.
Boxer’s Fracture Treatment Process
Upon arrival for treatment of a boxer’s fracture, physicians will first wash the area to protect against infection. Next, if the patient cut their skin during the injury, they may need a tetanus shot. This is especially true if the patient has not had one in recent years. If the condition is severe, patients may require a splint or cast. But before a patient can receive a cast, physicians must first realign the hand. Physicians typically administer pain medications before the process begins to alleviate any painful symptoms while realigning. For severe fractures, physicians may schedule general surgery to realign the metacarpal bones.
After realigning the hand to its original condition and splinting the pinky, physicians prescribe additional treatment methods to speed up the healing process. This could include:
- Rest
- Keeping the hand elevated
- Icing
- Pain medications
Because treatment mainly consists of resting the area and restricting movement, this can cause the hand muscles to become weak. That’s why many patients healing from a boxer’s fracture also must complete physical therapy. This can help gain muscle strength in the hand, giving it full mobility once treatment and healing finish.
Seek Orthopedic Care at Carthage Area Hospital
Carthage Area Hospital is here for patients needing compassionate and high-quality medical care practices. We are a local hospital with a dedication to serving families in Jefferson, Northern Lewis, and Southern St. Lawrence counties. Our small community allows physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals to give each patient the level of attention and care they deserve. With specialty services and short wait times, patients can receive efficient treatment at the facility closest to them. To learn more about receiving boxer’s fracture treatment at Carthage Area Hospital, contact us today to schedule an appointment.