injuries poisoning
Metacarpal Neck Fractures
Key Points
Metacarpal neck fractures cause pain, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes deformity (eg, rotational deformity). Take anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique x-rays. If patients have wounds near the metacarpophalangeal joint, ask them whether they punched someone in the mouth; if they did, take measures to prevent infection (eg, prophylactic antibiotics). Treat a metacarpal neck fracture with a splint; if angulation is significant or if rotational deformity is present, reduce the fracture first, usually using closed reduction. 