How Hand Doctors Diagnose & Treat Boxer’s Fracture

A “boxer’s fracture” is the common term for a “broken knuckle”. The medical term for this injury is a “metacarpal fracture.”

Hand Doctor Dr. Rehman previously explained the causes and symptoms of boxer’s knuckle. In this article she explains how hand doctors diagnose and treat boxer’s fractures.

If you suspect a metacarpal fracture, completely immobilize the hand, as soon as possible.

A boxer’s fracture needs rapid medical attention to prevent long term complications, such as a permanent loss of mobility or movement in the affected knuckle.

For this reason, diagnosis and treatment should preferably be performed by an experienced hand doctor – as they will be trained and highly experienced in injuries of the hand.

However, if you suspect a metacarpal fracture and a hand doctor cannot be reached, the injured individual should go to the emergency room.

How Hand Doctors Diagnose Boxer’s Fracture

Diagnosing a boxer’s fracture typically involves a physical examination by the hand doctor, as well as imaging tests.

The hand doctor will need to know how the injury happened, as this will give valuable clues as to the possible injuries quickly … especially when the hand is too swollen to tell if or where there is a break in a bone.

The hand doctor may put slight pressure on each bone to determine where the break is, and/or gently push each finger towards the knuckle to see if it causes pain in order to determine where the injury is.

The patient may also be asked to make a closed fist, by the hand doctor. If a knuckle is broken, the affected finger or fingers may look misaligned, and/ or may rotate towards the thumb more than normal.

Typically an X-ray image is then taken, to confirm the hand doctor’s diagnosis.

How Hand Doctors Treat Boxer’s Fracture

The hand doctor’s recommended course of treatment for a boxer’s fracture will vary depending on the severity of the injury. Do to the complexity of the hand, broken knuckle treatment is not as straightforward as many other bone fractures.

Immobilization is the primary goal for treatment of a boxer’s fracture. This allows the broken bones to heal properly. The hand doctors may put a splint in place, while in other cases a cast may be necessary.  The splint or cast will completely immobilize the joints both above and below the site of the break.

Home care may involve ice packs to limit swelling and reduce pain. Typically over the counter anti-inflammatory pain medications such as Tylenol or ibuprofen are sufficient to manage the discomfort.

In more severe boxer’s fractures, your hand doctor may decide you require surgery. This is generally required when the broken bones show signs of “angulation” – meaning that a part of the metacarpal bone has moved out of its proper alignment.

Recovery from Boxer’s Fracture

The recovery time from a broken knuckle will vary based on how severe the injury is. Simple bone fractures may heal in several weeks – while more severe breaks can take months to heal completely.

Physical therapy may also be needed to help the hand recover from a metacarpal fracture, and to completely restore motor skills.

During the recovery period, it is important to regularly check in with a specialized hand doctor who can monitor your progress and track the healing process.

Top Bloomfield Hills Hand Doctor

A boxer’s fracture that is rapidly diagnosed and treated will usually heal with no long term complications. But if treatment is delayed or the break is left untreated, a boxer’s fracture can result in crooked finger, decreased range of motion in the hand and even the inability to grasp objects.

Proper medical diagnosis, treatment and follow up care by an experienced hand doctor is critical for good healing!

If you suspect you may have a boxer’s fracture (broken knuckle) – or any hand injury – call Bloomfield Hills hand surgeon Doctor Rehman as soon as possible.

Bloomfield Hills Hand Doctor: 248.335.2638