Metacarpal Fracture
A metacarpal fracture is a break (fracture) of a bone in the hand. Metacarpals are the bones that extend from the knuckles to the wrist. There are five metacarpal bones that connect your fingers and your thumb to your wrist.
Some hand fractures have bone pieces that are close together and stable (simple). These fractures may be treated with only a splint or cast. Hand fractures that have many pieces of broken bone (comminuted), unstable bone pieces (displaced), or bone that breaks through the skin (compound) usually require surgery.
CAUSES
This injury may be caused by:
A fall or direct blow to your hand.
An injury that compresses your knuckle, stretches your finger out of place, or crushes your hand.
RISK FACTORS
You may be at higher risk for a hand fracture if you:
Play contact sports.
Have certain bone diseases.
SYMPTOMS …show more content…
Your health care provider will also do a physical exam. This may include X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on the type of fracture you have and how severe it is. You may have:
Non-reduction. The bones do not need to be moved back into place. The fracture can be casted or splinted as it is.
Closed reduction. If your fracture can be moved back into place and is stable, you may only need to wear a cast or splint.
Closed reduction with internal fixation. This is the most common treatment. You may have this procedure if your fracture can be moved back into place but needs more support. Wires, pins, or screws may be inserted through your skin to hold the fracture in place.
Open reduction with internal fixation. If your fracture is severe and unstable, you may need open surgery to move your bones back into the right position. Your health care provider may use screws, wires, or plates to stabilize the
A metacarpal fracture is a break (fracture) of a bone in the hand. Metacarpals are the bones that extend from the knuckles to the wrist. There are five metacarpal bones that connect your fingers and your thumb to your wrist.
Some hand fractures have bone pieces that are close together and stable (simple). These fractures may be treated with only a splint or cast. Hand fractures that have many pieces of broken bone (comminuted), unstable bone pieces (displaced), or bone that breaks through the skin (compound) usually require surgery.
CAUSES
This injury may be caused by:
A fall or direct blow to your hand.
An injury that compresses your knuckle, stretches your finger out of place, or crushes your hand.
RISK FACTORS
You may be at higher risk for a hand fracture if you:
Play contact sports.
Have certain bone diseases.
SYMPTOMS …show more content…
Your health care provider will also do a physical exam. This may include X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on the type of fracture you have and how severe it is. You may have:
Non-reduction. The bones do not need to be moved back into place. The fracture can be casted or splinted as it is.
Closed reduction. If your fracture can be moved back into place and is stable, you may only need to wear a cast or splint.
Closed reduction with internal fixation. This is the most common treatment. You may have this procedure if your fracture can be moved back into place but needs more support. Wires, pins, or screws may be inserted through your skin to hold the fracture in place.
Open reduction with internal fixation. If your fracture is severe and unstable, you may need open surgery to move your bones back into the right position. Your health care provider may use screws, wires, or plates to stabilize the