Hand Doctors Explain Causes & Symptoms of Boxer’s Fracture
A “boxer’s fracture” is the common term for a break in one or more of the knuckle bones. The medical term for this injury is a “metacarpal fracture.” Another somewhat old fashioned term for this type of broken knuckle bone is the “brawler’s fracture”.
Regardless of what you call it, a broken knuckle is painful, as well as a huge inconvenience to daily activities. And a boxer’s fracture can also cause long term complications and mobility limits if it is not properly treated by a hand doctor.
What is a Boxer’s Fracture?
The hand bones (metacarpals) consist of a base, shaft, head, and neck. The base of the metacarpal attaches to the bones of the wrist. The shaft and neck of the bone runs between the palm and the “back” of the hand. The head of a metacarpal connects it to the bone of the finger. The heads of the five metacarpal bones form “fist” knuckles.
A boxer’s fracture typically occurs in the neck of the metacarpal. This is the most common area of the bone to break when someone hits (or is hit by) a hard or immoveable object.
Note that a boxer’s fracture is different from “boxer’s knuckle,” which is a separate condition is caused by repeated damage to the ligaments over time.
Causes of Boxer’s Fracture
Although punching something (or someone, as in boxing) is the most common cause of boxer’s fracture, virtually any direct impact to the knuckles can cause this type of break in the metacarpal bone.
Smacking a flat hand into a hard surface, or dropping something heavy on the knuckles, can also be enough to cause a boxer’s knuckle fracture.
The knuckles are simply not designed to withstand such severe impacts. In fact, boxers wear those heavily padded gloves not only to keep from injuring their opponent, but primarily to avoid breaking their own knuckles!
Symptoms of Boxer’s Knuckle Fracture
Symptoms of a broken knuckle are similar to those of other broken bones. The pain, swelling and other symptoms typically begin almost immediately, or very soon after the injury. Almost all symptoms will be felt within the first 24 hours.
Boxer’s fracture symptoms include:
- swelling on both sides of the hand
- pain surrounding the injured area
- extreme tenderness near the break
- limits in the fingers’ mobility or movement
- snapping or popping sensation
- dark or painful bruises
- difficulty or pain when gripping objects
- numbness, coldness, or tingling feeling
CLICK HERE to Read How Hand Doctors Diagnose & Treat Boxer’s Fracture
Top Bloomfield Hills Hand Doctor
If you are suffering from any injury or pain in your knuckles, fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified Bloomfield Hills hand surgeon Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of conditions like boxer’s fracrutres or broken knuckles.
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation with care, and draw on her years of experience to prescribe the treatment that is best for your condition.
