Boxer's fracture

Boxer's Fracture
A boxer's fracture is break in the bones in the knuckle region of the hand. The knuckle is the head of the metacarpal bone and the break is just below it at the neck of the metacarpal bone. The most frequent metacarpal bone to fracture when striking a fixed object is the small finger known as the fifth metacarpal. This fracture can also occur in the fourth metacarpal but some doctors include the second and third metacarpal in the explanation of a boxer's fracture.
Common symptoms of a boxer's fracture are tenderness or pain in a particular location in one of the metacarpal bones on the hand near the knuckle. The hand may appear deformed, bruise or enlarge throughout the location that is injured. If the fracture has a cut, it may be a more serious break and should be checked out as soon as possible.
Any hand injury that has symptoms or signs demonstrating a fracture should be assessed by a doctor. If you are unable to see a doctor right away, you should go to the emergency department at a hospital. The doctor will deem whether an x-ray is necessary after an examination. Before you are able to see a doctor, there are steps you can do to take care if the injury. To reduce swelling and pain, apply a cold pack or something cold to the area that is injured and elevate the broken hand to minimize the swelling. If the injured hand is cut, you run the risk of infection so it is important to wash the hand with soapy water and then conceal it promptly with a sterile bandage to decrease the chance of infection. Keep the injured hand restrained to keep from damaging nearby blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
Once the injured hand is diagnosed with a boxer's fracture, the doctor will determine how to treat the hand and how to take care of it once you go home. If the fracture does not require surgery, a cast or splint is used to keep the hand stable. Usually with any broken bone, a person will have pain so it is important to receive some form of pain management. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicine provide great alleviation. It is important to make sure that the broken bone is rehabilitating properly so it is best to look into acquiring an orthopedic specialist.