Discharge Instructions - Boxer's Fracture

As discussed in the Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with a boxer’s fracture.  This is a fracture of one of the bones in the hand, specifically of the little finger between the wrist and the knuckle.  It is called a boxer’s fracture since it is commonly the result of a punching injury, most commonly from punching a wall or other hard object.  A boxer’s fracture commonly causes pain in the area of the fracture, swelling over the back of the hand, or an abnormal bend to the little finger of the affected hand.

In the Emergency Department you were put in a splint to allow the bone to heal properly.  This splint also provides comfort because the broken bone can’t move around or shift anymore.

Ibuprofen (which is the same thing as Advil or Motrin) and/or Acetaminophen (same thing as Tylenol) can be used for pain relief.  Taking both of these medications together is fine – just be sure to follow the instructions on the label for each.

The most important thing that you can do to speed up healing is to keep the limb with the broken bone elevated.  If it is your arm, hold your arm up (like you are the queen and about to wave at your subjects) so that gravity can drain the swelling away from the broken bone.