Boxer's fracture involves a fracture of which bone?

• A. Fracture of the 1st Metacarpal
• B. Fracture of the 5th Metacarpal
• C. Fracture of the Scaphoid
• D. Fracture of the 3rd Metacarpal

Answer: (B)

Boxer's fracture happens when a clenched fist strikes a hard object, causing a break in the neck of the fifth metacarpal—the bone on the little finger side of the hand. The force often results in a loss of the knuckle’s normal contour because the distal fragment tilts toward the palm, with pain and swelling focused over the little finger’s metacarpophalangeal joint. On X-ray, you’ll see a fracture just distal to the head of the fifth metacarpal with some palmar angulation of the distal fragment.

This injury is specific to the fifth metacarpal, whereas a scaphoid fracture involves the wrist bones, and fractures of other metacarpals (like those of the thumb or middle finger) are not Boxer's fractures. Management typically includes immobilization in an appropriate cast or splint, with consideration of reduction if the angulation is significant.