Boxer’s Fracture

A Boxer’s fracture is a commonly seen break of the metacarpal bone of the little finger near to the knuckle. It can sometimes also refer to a similar break of the ring finger. It most often occurs after hitting an object with a closed fist.

It results in pain, bruising swelling, difficulty in gripping and sometimes difficulty/inability to move the affected finger and deformity of the knuckle (the knuckle can have a “flattened” appearance).

If you suspect you have a boxer’s fracture, you will need to go to the doctor to get X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the severity of the break, the doctor will then either recommend you have a splint made to immobilize the fracture or have surgery to set the bone. There are various techniques used to set the bone, but can involves: plates, screws, or pins. It is not recommended that you a  “leave it to get better” on its own as this can result in the bone healing in the wrong position, taking longer to heal or even not healing at all.