fracture of the metacarpal shaft
Last reviewed 01/2018
These may be:
- transverse - from a direct blow
- spiral - from a twisting force or punching
There is local pain and swelling, and sometimes, a dorsal "hump."
Undisplaced or slightly displaced fractures are treated symptomatically and may involve rest in a plaster slab for 1 or 2 weeks.
More severely displaced fractures should be reduced openly and fixed internally with Kirschner wires.