A metacarpal fracture is a break in one of the five long bones in the hand, located between the wrist and the fingers. These bones help form the knuckles and give structure to the palm. A fracture can occur in the shaft, base, or head of the metacarpal, and may affect hand strength, movement, and alignment depending on the severity.
An analogy…
Think of the metacarpals like the wooden frame of a tent, if one of the beams snaps or bends, the whole structure becomes unstable. That’s how a broken metacarpal can affect the way the entire hand functions.
What are other names that a metacarpal fracture can be called?
Fractured Metacarpal
What causes a metacarpal fracture?
Metacarpal fractures typically occur when a strong direct force is applied to the hand, such as punching something hard, falling onto an outstretched hand, or getting the hand caught in machinery. The force exceeds the bone’s capacity to absorb it, causing a break. Sometimes the bone shifts out of place, which is called a displaced fracture, and can affect nearby joints, tendons, or ligaments.
What are the signs and symptoms of a metacarpal fracture
What tests are used to diagnose a metacarpal fracture?
A practitioner will usually begin with a physical exam, checking for tenderness, swelling, deformity, and finger alignment. X-rays are the most common way to confirm the fracture, determine how displaced it is, and check if any joints are involved.
How long does a metacarpal fracture take to heal?
Simple, non-displaced fractures usually heal with splinting or casting in 3 to 6 weeks, followed by hand therapy to restore motion and strength. Displaced or unstable fractures that require surgery may take 6 to 10 weeks or longer, with structured rehabilitation needed afterward to ensure full return of hand function.
How does a metacarpal fracture happen?
What treatment can help a metacarpal fracture?
What exercises or stretches can I do for a metacarpal fracture?
What products can help with a metacarpal fracture?
Sit upright in a chair. Place your affected arm on a table, holding the forearm up and your hand and fingers straight. Bend the end and middle joints of your fingers, keeping your knuckles straight. Try to touch your palm with the tips of your fingers before straightening your fingers again. Remember to keep your wrist straight throughout the exercise, using your opposite hand to support it if needed.
This exercise can be done in any position. Make 2 strong fists, clenching as hard as you can. Hold this position, then relax and repeat
Sit upright in a chair. Place your affected arm on a table, holding the forearm up and your hand and fingers straight. Bend the knuckles of your fingers, keeping the middle and end joints straight. Try to bend the knuckles as far as you can before straightening them out again. Remember to keep your wrist straight throughout the exercise, using your opposite hand to support it if needed.
Sit upright in a chair. Place your affected arm on a table, with your hand on its side, palm facing in. Ensure your wrist is straight and your fingers are relaxed. Use your other hand to bend the middle and end joints of your finger as far as you can manage comfortably. Keeping these joints bent, use your other hand to bend the knuckle backward. Hold this position.
Sit upright in a chair. Place your affected arm on a table, holding the forearm up with your wrist straight and fingers relaxed. Place a foam block between the tips of your fingers and thumb and squeeze the foam block. Bend your knuckles only while keeping the middle and end joints of your fingers straight.
