5th metacarpal neck fracture ("Boxer's Fracture")

5th metacarpal neck fracture ("Boxer's Fracture): this is a very common fracture involving the 5th knuckle of the little finger.  This fracture occurs from punching with the affected hand most commonly.

Signs/symptoms include pain, swelling, or deformity over the 5th knuckle, and limited hand/finger motion and function.

Treatment

Treatment initially is conservative or nonsurgical and includes immobilization of the area of fracture with or without manipulation and realignment of the fracture, anti-inflammatory medicines, and activity modification.  It is important to note that a fracture that is angulated or deformed can still provide complete functional recovery of hand motion, and the deformity itself is not always an indication for surgery.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is reserved for failure of conservative treatment or extremely unstable fractures and can include pin fixation or small plates and screws.