How To Treat Boxer's Fracture

A boxer's fracture is a condition that occurs when certain bones close to the knuckle have become broken. Despite its name, it's actually rare for a boxer to suffer from this kind of fracture because of the heavy gloves they wear. The exact name of the bones that can be broken with this fracture is the metacarpal bones, which connect each finger to the wrist. A case of boxer's fracture occurs when the metacarpal bones in the little or ring finger become broken. These fractures are primarily caused by standard fist fights or situations where individuals punch their closed fist against a wall or similar object. Individuals will likely experience a sharp popping sensation when the fracture occurs along with some swelling, bruising, and discoloration in the area. Learn about how to treat a boxer's fracture now.

Apply Ice Pack To Injury

Many of the treatments used for a boxer's fracture are considered home remedies. If patients want to properly reduce the amount of pain and inflammation from the injury, it's recommended to apply an ice pack to the injury. Using an ice pack on the injured area will lower the patient's body temperature in that area, which helps reduce the amount of swelling and pain they're going through. Along with this main benefit, the other advantages patients will derive from this treatment include the prevention or limitation of bruising as well as the slowing of any bleeding because of the fracture, which is only possible if the bone has protruded through the skin. There are a few issues patients will need to avoid when applying an ice pack to their injury. For one, it's important to not apply the ice directly to the skin and avoid using this method for lengthy periods. It's recommended to place the ice pack on the injury for fifteen minutes at a time.

Learn more about treating a boxer's fracture now.