Boxer's Fracture
Medical Author:
Manuel Hernandez, MD
Coauthor:
Jacob W Ufberg, MD
Medical Editor:
Ruben Olmedo, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Jeter (Jay) Pritchard Taylor III, MD
Boxer's Fracture OverviewA boxer's fracture is defined as a break through the bones of the hand that form the knuckles. Some doctors use the term "brawler's fracture" rather than "boxer's fracture" because a boxer is not likely to get this injury. The less well-trained brawlers have to learn how to punch without hurting themselves. The metacarpal bones in the hand connect the bones in the finger to the bones in the wrist. There are 5 metacarpal bones-1 to connect each finger to the wrist. All of the metacarpal bones have the same anatomic structure. Each consists of the base, the shaft, the neck, and the head. The base of the metacarpal bone is the portion that attaches to the bones of the wrist. The shaft is the long, slender portion of the bone. The neck is the portion of the bone that connects the shaft to the head. The head of the metacarpal bone connects the metacarpal bone to the bone of the finger. The head of the metacarpal bones form the knuckle of an enclosed fist. A boxer's fracture involves a break in the neck of the metacarpal. This was described originally in the fracture of the metacarpal bone of the little (small) finger because this is the most common one to break when punching an immovable object. Boxer's fractures occur in the metacarpal bones that connect the ring finger or the little finger to the wrist. These are known as the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones. Some doctors include breaks in the neck of the second and third metacarpal bones in the definition of a boxer's fracture. The second metacarpal bone connects the index finger to the wrist, and the third metacarpal connects the middle finger to the wrist. Viewer Comments & ReviewsBoxer's Fracture - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What were the symptoms of your boxer's fracture? |
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Boxer's Fracture
Broken Finger Overview
Fingers are easily injured from everyday activities, and finger injuries are some of the most common traumatic injuries seen in an emergency room. Injuries may range from simple bruises or contusions to broken bones and dislocations of the joints. Understanding the basic anatomy of the hand and fingers is useful in understanding different types of finger injuries, broken fingers, and how some treatments differ from others.
- The hand is divided into three sections: wrist, palm,
and fingers. There are eight bones in the wrist, which move together to allow
the vast ranges of motion of the wrist. The palm, or mid-hand, is made up of
the metacarpal bones. The metacarpal bones have muscular attachments and
bridge the wrist to the individual fingers. These bones frequently are injured
with direct trauma such as a crush from an object or most commonly from a
punching injury.
- The fingers are ...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape
Metacarpal Fractures »
This article reviews metacarpal fractures and dislocations in the hand.
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