Intra-articular fracture at the base of 5th metacarpal

Case contributed by Mohamed Mahmoud Elthokapy
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Painful swelling at the ulnar aspect of the hand with a history of trauma (hitting to the bar).

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male

There is a displaced intra-articular fracture involving the radial aspect base of the right fifth metacarpal bone. This could probably be better visualized on an oblique radiograph.

There is associated soft tissue swelling.

Evidence of Intra-articular base of 5th metacarpal fracture with displacement along the radial aspect.

Case Discussion

An example of a base of 5th metacarpal intra-articular fracture that could potentially be missed by the non-experienced reader as the major fracture fragment is superimposed over the 4th metacarpal base on the frontal and oblique projections. 

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