Joe A Shaw PA-C - 10/9/2008

Question
I punched a door in anger a week ago and fractured my right hand. The radiograph showed an undisplaced fracture at the base of my 5th metacarpal bone. My hand has been plastered and is in a sling for 4 weeks. I have been lifting weights at the gym for many years now. And I'm worried about when I would be able to go back again. Since my hands bear most of the weight in gym, when is the earliest I can return and what precautions should I take, if any? Are there any chances of further injury to my metacarpals during weight lifting? Please advise.

Answer
The boxers fracture is a common fracture with punching. It is not uncommon to have a visual deformity as well It will take a good 6-8 wks to heal, then another 6-8 wks before I would put full stress on it. You can gradually use it of course at lighter wts and ramp back up to where you were. I would advise cybex or nautilus where "gripping" can be by-passed, unlike free wts. I would recommend something like these custom sport ice wraps after you get out of cast and start using it, as it will swell with useage for a while.

http://www.carpal-tunnel-symptoms.com/ice-wraps.html