boxer's fracture

Etiology

• punching a hard surface with closed fist
• landing on a hard surface with a closed fist

Epidemiology

• uncommon among professional boxers

Clinical manifestations

• pain in dominant hand
• swelling at the base of the fifth digit

Radiology

• X-ray of hand
  • fracture at the neck of the fifth metacarpal with volar displacement of the distal metacarpal head
    • less commonly fracture is of the fourth metacarpal

*images

Management

• orthopedic surgery
  • external reduction vs internal fixation with cast immobilization
• for fracture with minimal rotation & angulation, functional taping &/or ulnar gutter splint may suffice

More general terms

• metacarpal fracture