General Information About Boxer's Fracture
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the disruption of the anatomical structure of the hand due to striking a hard surface, mostly resulting in the fracturing and inward bending of the distal ends of the metacarpal bones behind the 5th (little) and 4th (ring) fingers.
It entered the medical literature with this name because it is very frequently seen in inexperienced people who punch without gloves or with incorrect technique (using the outer side of the fingers) and in street fights.
Immediately after the punch, sudden swelling on the outer edge of the hand, bruising, inability to move the finger, pain, and the disappearance of the knuckle prominence of the little finger when a fist is made.
An orthopedics physician examines the structure of the hand and checks whether the bones are overlapping. To confirm the diagnosis and measure the angle of the fracture, X-rays of the hand are taken from different directions.
The fractured pieces will fuse, but if the bone fuses bent inward, the grip strength of the hand permanently decreases, and the finger begins to overlap with the other fingers. Therefore, medical intervention is essential.
Fractures with mild angulation are manually reduced by the physician and stabilized with special U-shaped splints for 3-4 weeks. If the angle is very severe or comminuted, the bone is fixated by inserting pins/wires (K-Wires) through the skin under operating room conditions.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
