Hand Fractures: Treatment Options and Recovery

From lifting to typing to punching (yes, really), your hands take a beating. Dr. Todd Pitts walks through one of the most common hand injuries—boxer’s fractures—and explains when surgery is necessary, how we fix it, and how we balance healing with regaining motion.

Understanding Hand Fractures

Because our hands are constantly in motion—grasping, lifting, pushing, and pulling—they’re especially vulnerable to injury. One of the most common fractures we treat at Summit is called a boxer’s fracture, which affects the metacarpal bone at the base of the pinky or ring finger.

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  • Not always. In fact, many hand fractures can heal without surgery if the break is stable and the finger is aligned properly.

    We consider surgery if:

    • The bone is significantly displaced or angled

    • There’s rotation of the finger (causing it to cross over or twist when making a fist)

    • You have an unstable or crushed fracture that can’t heal correctly on its own

    • A break in the neck of the metacarpal (just below the knuckle)

    • Commonly caused by punching a hard surface or falling on a closed fist

    • Can cause visible hand deformity, swelling, bruising, and pain when gripping

  • If surgery is needed, we choose the most effective option based on your injury:

    • Intramedullary screw fixation: A screw is inserted inside the bone to stabilize it

    • External pins: Temporary pins placed through the skin to hold the bone in place

    • Plates and screws: Used for more complex or unstable fractures

    All techniques aim to preserve movement, reduce pain, and return you to function as quickly as possible.

  • Recovery is a careful balance between immobilization and early motion. Move too little, and you may develop stiffness and scar tissue. Move too soon, and you risk damaging the repair.

    Your treatment plan may include:

    • Splinting or casting early on

    • Guided hand therapy to restore movement

    • Follow-up X-rays to monitor bone healing

    We’ll work closely with you to tailor your recovery plan for the best results.