5th Metacarpal neck

Fractures of the neck of the 5th metacarpal - "Boxers" fracture

This is a common injury of the hand, usually follows a punch injury. Patients present with pain and deformity of the neck of the 5th metacarpal. As for all hand fractures it is important to assess hand function, patient expectation and exclude any rotational deformity.

It is important to distinguish a fracture of the neck of the metacarpal from the shaft as less angulation is tolerated at the shaft level.

Treatment

See Metacarpal fracture for guide on angulation.

Bearing in mind their are no absolutes, if the patient has a full/ near full ROM, full extension and no rotational deformity and understands the deformity is likely to be purely cosmetic treatment is purely symptomatic with early mobilisation and return to function.  

Last updated 11/09/2015