Is surgery necessary after a boxer's fracture?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 24-year-old male and I suffered a boxer's fracture and broke my fourth and fifth metacarpal bone. I went to see the plastic surgeon that I was referred to and he said surgery was not required and he did not need to push back my bones back in place either. He just had me in an arm cast for about four to five weeks and after the cast was removed, my fourth and fifth knuckles depressed and did not line up evenly with the other knuckles. Would it have made a difference if the doctor did a closed reduction? Is the reason that the doctor did not push the bones back in place because it would have made the fracture worse than before, which could have damaged his reputation?

Please suggest. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There are clinical and radiological criteria that are followed to reduce or accept the deformity. Was this fracture an accident or were you practicing any sport as injuries in contact sports are accepted they are likely to recur unless grossly deformed. For patients with fine dexterous work, the acceptability is less.

Without seeing the X-rays I will be unable to comment on the need. What is your profession? Is this the dominant hand? Reduction of the fracture and plaster sometimes is not adequate and may need K wire fixation. Certainly, the discussion should have proceeded on these lines and options should have been offered.

I hope this answers you.

Thank you.