What is a fifth metacarpal fracture?
The metacarpals are the long bones in the hand. The fifth
metacarpal is the bone in the hand that attaches to the
pinky finger. A fracture is a break in the bone.
How does it occur?
A fifth metacarpal fracture usually occurs from hitting a
hard object with your fist. That is why it is also called a
boxer's fracture. It can also occur from falling onto your
hand.
What are the symptoms?
Pain, swelling, and tenderness on the pinky finger side of
the hand. There may be a bump on the side of your hand or
it may look crooked.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will review your symptoms, ask you
how you got the injury, and examine you. Your provider will
take an x-ray of your hand, which will show the break.
How is it treated?
If the broken bone is crooked your provider will straighten
it. Then a cast or splint will be placed from your hand to
your forearm. You will wear this cast or splint for 4 to 6
weeks.
Treatment will also include:
- Elevating your hand by placing it on a pillow when you
sleep or the back of a couch when you are sitting down.
- Putting an ice bag over the cast or splint for 20 to 30
minutes every 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3 days.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medicine or other medicine
prescribed by your provider.
How long will the effects last?
Fifth metacarpal fractures usually heal within 6 weeks. Ask
your health care provider when you will be able to return to
your normal activities.
When can I return to my normal activities?
Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate.
Return to your activities will be determined by how soon your
hand recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been
since your injury has occurred. The goal of rehabilitation
is to return you to your normal activities as soon as is
safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your
injury. You may start rehabilitation exercises when your
provider has taken a follow-up x-ray sees that your fracture
has healed.
You may return to your normal activities when your hand has
full range of motion without pain and has the same strength
as the uninjured side.
How can I prevent a fifth metacarpal fracture?
Since most fifth metacarpal fractures happen because of
hitting hard objects with your fist...don't hit things!
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
This
information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers
but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical
treatment. You should speak to your physician or make
an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about
this information or your medical condition.