After a broken metacarpal pins will need to stay in for 4 weeks to 6 weeks.
The pins for a broken metacarpal will exist the skin and are covered with protective caps.
The different types of metacarpal fractures are transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted, impacted, or avulsion metacarpal fractures.
A fracture of the neck of the fifth metacarpal, or boxer's fracture, named for the classic mechanism of injury in which direct trauma is applied to a clenched fist, is the most common, representing 10% of all hand fractures.
The long term effects of a broken metacarpal are ongoing aching, stiffness and or disability, inability to grip or hold onto things in the hand with the broken metacarpal and shortening of the metacarpal shaft that can subsequently cause extension lag at the metacarpophalangeal joint and reduced grip strength.
You do need a cast for a metacarpal fracture if the metacarpal fracture is mild or the bones did not move far out of place.
A splint or cast may be needed in those cases.
However some people don't need a cast or splint after metacarpal but most people do.
The cast for metacarpal fracture is most often a gutter splint or sometimes a normal cast that can be used to immobilize the metacarpal fracture.
The gutter splint for the metacarpal fracture can be modified based on the location of your injured finger.
A cast will need to stay on a broken metacarpal for 3 weeks to 4 weeks and if you have a repeat metacarpal fracture it can take more time to heal and you may need to keep the broken metacarpal casted longer.
A broken metacarpal hurts really bad as it's very painful, maximally so over the specific metacarpal bone which is fractured.
Also with a broken metacarpal there will also be swelling and bruising directly over the injury.
You may also have difficulty moving your fingers because of the amount of pain from the fracture.
You can fix metacarpal pain by resting the affected hand, wearing splints at night, using heat or ice to soothe the pain and reduce swelling, use of cortisone injections and metacarpal surgery when other treatments don't work.
Complete recovery time for metacarpal surgery takes a few months while partial recovery takes around 6 weeks.
Metacarpal surgery is surgery to fix the metacarpal and is done by making an incision over the metacarpal fracture which is then followed by alignment and fixation of the bone that is fractured by using screws and plates.
After the metacarpal surgery the incision is then sutured and covered with a splint.
The healing of the bone after metacarpal surgery takes at least 6 weeks and complete recovery from metacarpal surgery takes a few months.
A metacarpal fracture most often needs surgery when the fracture pattern is unstable or the metacarpal fracture is displaced.
If you need surgery for the metacarpal fracture it's best that the metacarpal surgery be done within 2 weeks of the fracture.
Displaced metacarpal fractures are likely to heal with rotation, angulation or shortening.
You can do rehab exercises after metacarpal fracture to strengthen your hand after the metacarpal fracture.
Begin by leaning forward with your legs slightly spread.
Then place your forearm on your thigh with your affected hand and wrist in front of your knee.
Grasp one end of an exercise band with your palm down. Step on the other end.
Slowly bend your wrist upward for a count of 2.
Repeat 8 to 12 times.
After a metacarpal fracture of the hand, most of the healing happens between 3 to 4 weeks.
It's normal to have aches and discomfort beyond this.
This often happens when you try activities you haven't done for a while.
It's also normal for the area to be more sensitive for several months after the injury.
You can move your fingers with a broken metacarpal and it's also important to move your fingers early on so it will improve the function of your hand and help speed recovery.
The most commonly injured metacarpal is the metacarpal shaft and neck.
If a metacarpal fracture heals wrong then the bone can heal with a deformity that is called a malunion which is a fracture that occurs when the large space between the displaced ends of the bone have been filled in by new bone.
The length of time it takes to recover from metacarpal surgery is between 3 to 6 weeks.
To splint a metacarpal fracture it takes only about 5 to 10 minutes but you'll need to splint the metacarpal fracture for 3 to 6 weeks.
You will also need follow-up X-rays to make sure your bones are healing correctly.
The splint that is best for 5th metacarpal fracture is an ulnar gutter splint and post reduction films should also be taken to assess for adequate reduction.
The long term effects of a broken 5th metacarpal are the inability to grip or hold onto things in the affected hand, a permanently crooked finger and decreased range of motion in the injured finger.
If the metacarpal fracture is displaced or if the fracture pattern is unstable it is likely that surgery will be recommended.
If you need surgery it is best that this be performed within 2 weeks of your fracture.
Displaced fractures are likely to heal with shortening, or angulation, or rotation.
Metacarpal surgery costs between $2,473.00 to as much as $12,964.00
Metacarpal surgery includes making an incision over the fracture, followed by alignment and fixation of the fractured bone using plates and screws.
After surgery, the incision is sutured and covered with a splint.
Healing of the bone may take 6 weeks whereas complete recovery needs a few months.
Carpal tunneling is a neurological disorder which occurs when your median nerve that runs from the forearm into the palm of your hand becomes pressed or squeezed at your wrist.
With carpal tunnel syndrome you usually feel numbness, pain and weakness in the hand and your wrist and your fingers may also become swollen and useless.
Carpal tunnel syndrome usually isn't serious.
With treatment, the pain will typically go away and you'll have no lasting damage to your hand or wrist.
Nerve damage in hands is most always permanent although treatment is available and sometimes nerve damage can be treated with surgery.
Sometimes the nerve is bruised, and may heal on its own in time.
However, if a nerve is cut or crushed, it may need surgical treatment in order to help improve or restore function to the hand or arm.
Sometimes, certain illnesses can affect nerves and cause similar symptoms in the upper extremity.
If the nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks.
A nerve that is cut will grow at 1mm per day, after about a 4 week period of 'rest' following your injury.