Metacarpal fracture

In the metacarpal area there are 5 metacarpal bones that connect the carpal bones with the finger bones. The whole hand is made up of 27 bones. Strong violence during sport, an accident or a fall can lead to Metacarpal fracture (medical: Metacarpal fracture) come.

What is a metacarpal fracture?

A Metacarpal fracture is a fracture in the area of ​​the five metacarpal bones. There are different bones in the metacarpal area: the transition from the metacarpal to the finger bones is called the metacarpal head, the longer area is the shaft and the transition from the metacarpal bone, which connects the wrist and the metacarpal, is called the base of the metacarpal bone.

Both open and closed fractures of one or more metacarpal bones can occur in all three areas. If the wound is open, the fracture and skin injury must be treated at the same time.

A metacarpal fracture can occur in any of the metacarpal bones. The fracture results in pain, bruises and swelling in the metacarpus and often also in misalignments due to a displaced fracture point.

causes

Metacarpal fractures can have different causes. Boxers are often affected by such broken bones, but so are other athletes, especially those who have to grip an object with their hand.

In a fall, anyone can suffer if one falls unfavorably and breaks one or more bones of the metacarpal while falling.

Typical symptoms & signs

• Broken bone
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Hand pain

Diagnosis & course

An exact diagnosis can only be made with the help of an X-ray, which is shown in different layers in order to be able to see how many bones there are Metacarpal fracture Affected are whether the bones at the break point have shifted and how the break line runs.

Normally, apart from the X-ray examination, no further examinations are necessary because the fracture situation can be assessed well using the X-ray image.

If a metacarpal fracture has occurred, the hand should be immobilized and cooled immediately. If treated quickly, a metacarpal fracture will heal within a few weeks. The hand must be immobilized for the time of healing.

If the broken bone is not treated and grows together incorrectly, permanent damage can result, which can severely impair the mobility of the hand.

Complications

As a result of the metacarpal fracture, those affected primarily suffer from severe pain. As a rule, the hand itself can no longer be moved, so that there are movement restrictions and various restrictions in the patient's everyday life. In addition, bruises and swellings appear in the affected area and the patients suffer from severe pain in the hand.

These can sometimes spread into the arm and lead to unpleasant symptoms there. Nocturnal pain can also negatively affect sleep and lead to sleep disorders and furthermore to depression. To prevent consequential damage or incorrect adhesion of the bone, a visit to the doctor is definitely necessary to prevent these complaints.

As a rule, the metacarpal bone fracture can be healed and treated relatively easily with the help of a plaster cast. There are no particular complications. In some cases, physiotherapy measures are still required to reduce the symptoms completely and restore hand movement. However, even after the treatment of the fracture, sensitivity disorders or paralysis of the hand can occur. The life expectancy of the patient is not reduced or restricted by this disease.

When should you go to the doctor?

A metacarpal fracture should usually always be treated by a doctor. Only those who opt for medical treatment can expect a full and prompt recovery. Such a fracture is usually accompanied by severe and almost unbearable pain, so that those affected consult a doctor immediately.

This means that appropriate treatment can be initiated as quickly as possible. In some cases, surgery is even possible to allow for a complication-free healing. The situation is different if there is only a hairline crack. This is a small crack in the bone that is not as painful as an existing fracture.

In many cases, affected people do not even notice such a hairline crack, as it is only accompanied by minor pain. The sequence of movements is only limited to a limited extent, so that there is often no suspicion of a fracture. The advantage: In most cases, such a crack in the bone grows together completely independently and without medical care. A visit to the doctor does not necessarily have to be carried out in such a case. However, if there is a fracture of the bone, it is imperative to visit the doctor for complete healing.

Treatment & Therapy

A Metacarpal fracture can be treated in different ways depending on the area affected. Broken heads or in the area around the head cannot be operated on. You are more likely to be straightened and then immobilized by a plaster cast for about 3 - 6 weeks. However, if the metacarpal fracture has more strongly displaced bones, an operation on the fracture is necessary in order to rule out subsequent damage.

Open fractures usually always have to be operated on because of the high risk of infection from an open wound. The course of healing can be monitored with X-ray examinations. Physiotherapy can usually be started cautiously a few days after the treatment in order to slowly restore mobility and strength of the hand.

In most cases, the metacarpal fracture heals within a few weeks by immobilizing it with a plaster cast. Open hernias can sometimes lead to complications if the wound becomes inflamed or if bleeding or wound healing is impaired. If the fracture is properly straightened or operated on, there are no malpositions or mobility restrictions.

Initially, swelling or numbness may occur or pain may occur when the weather changes, but this usually disappears a few months later. The mobility of the metacarpal also only gradually returns.

Outlook & forecast

The prognosis for patients with metacarpal fractures is good in most cases. The fracture can still be visible on the X-ray for a long time, although new bone tissue forms after just three weeks and the affected bone again gains sufficient stability. As soon as the affected person no longer feels any pressure pain in the fracture area, the broken hand can and should be moved intensively but without stress. After five weeks, you can slowly begin to put weight on the hand again, taking into account your own pain limits.

If treated quickly, the break will usually heal in just a few weeks. However, the hand should be kept absolutely still during the healing period. If the fracture is not treated and therefore grows together incorrectly, long-term damage can result, which especially affects the mobility of the hand.

In a few cases, physiotherapy is also necessary to completely eliminate the symptoms and, in particular, to restore the ability to move. However, even after treatment, sensitivity disorders and even hand paralysis can occur. In some very rare cases, the metacarpal fracture does not heal as desired. The ends of the fracture then do not grow back together and a “false joint” forms instead.

prevention

In most cases you can get one Metacarpal fracture do not prevent, except for certain sports. If there is a high risk of injury, the endangered areas should be optimally protected from the effects of violence. Most of the time, falls cannot be avoided because they happen suddenly and unconsciously, even if you are paying attention.

When skateboarding or inline skating, you usually wear special protective clothing, as is the case in some sports such as football or rugby, in which the players are more at risk from intensive physical contact in the area of ​​the hands.

Aftercare

In the case of a metacarpal fracture, the affected person has only a few and only limited direct follow-up measures available in most cases. For this reason, the person concerned is primarily dependent on an early diagnosis so that there are no other complications or complaints in the further course. Self-healing cannot occur, so that a doctor should definitely be contacted to ensure that the bones grow together properly.

First and foremost, unnecessary strain on the hand after immobilization with a cast should be avoided. In many cases, physiotherapy or physiotherapy measures are also necessary in order to increase the mobility of the hand again. Many of the exercises from such therapies can also be performed in their own homes and thus accelerate healing.

If numbness occurs with metacarpal fracture, it is advisable to consult a doctor as further treatment may be necessary. As a rule, the disease does not reduce the life expectancy of the person affected, and no further follow-up measures are necessary.

You can do that yourself

A metacarpal bone fracture usually has to be treated by a doctor in every case. If medical treatment does not take place, the bone can grow together incorrectly, which can lead to pain and further complications.

If you have a metacarpal bone fracture, you must go to a hospital immediately or call an emergency doctor in the event of an accident. The healing of the fracture can be accelerated significantly by immobilizing and protecting the hand. The person concerned should refrain from strenuous activities or sports. The supply of trace elements and minerals can also have a positive effect on bone growth and healing. Most patients also need therapy for this fracture. This can be started a few days after casting in order to fully restore the mobility of the hand. The patient can also do various exercises at home.

Some patients need help from other people if they have swelling or numbness. As a rule, relatives or friends should stand by the person concerned here. The life expectancy of the patient is usually not negatively affected by this injury.