Presentation
Direct hit of a brick to the dorsal side of the hand. Large soft tissue swelling upon physical examination.
Patient Data
Age: 30 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
5th metacarpal base fracture
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Hand radiographs revealed a fracture of the base of the 5th metacarpal with volar displacement of the fragment.
The 5th carpometacarpal joint remains congruent.
There is large soft tissue swelling of the hand.
Case Discussion
Metacarpal fractures are relatively common. Amongst the metacarpals, the 5th is the most commonly injured.
The usual mechanism of trauma of metacarpal base fractures is an axial force, such as a fall onto the flexed wrist.