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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Fractured Metacarpal Of Hand. Taken Anti-inflammatory Pills. Formation Of Ball Of Bone In Hand. Something Wrong?

I fractured the third metacarpal of my right hand. It is non-displaced. I went to a hand specialist (I was working in South Africa) and they gave me anti-inflammatory pills and a splint for protection (doesn't hold anything in place), and told me 3-5 weeks and it should be healed. It has been 6.5 weeks, and it hasn't 100% healed yet. I feel it at its worst when someone shakes my hand. I have used my right hand here and there, but never anything too, too much. Also, it feels like a small ball of bone has formed at the base of my first and second metacarpal. The past couple of weeks I haven't really used the hand at all (except for some gardening). Am I doing something wrong, could I be doing anything to speed up the healing process, and how much longer until this heals 100%?
Mon, 24 Jun 2013
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement,  's  Response
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM. Generally, metacarpal fractures which are undisplaced will heal naturally within 6 weeks provided there is no movement occuring between the fractured ends. The only way of clinically depicting fracture union is that you should not have any pain over the fracture site.
As your hand is not immobilised with any rigid pop cast, a minimal amount of movement will occur at the fracture site during routine activities which is delaying the fracture union in your case. Anyway, the fracture unites but may take a bit longer time. Hope this helps
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Fractured Metacarpal Of Hand. Taken Anti-inflammatory Pills. Formation Of Ball Of Bone In Hand. Something Wrong?

Hi, thanks for writing to HCM. Generally, metacarpal fractures which are undisplaced will heal naturally within 6 weeks provided there is no movement occuring between the fractured ends. The only way of clinically depicting fracture union is that you should not have any pain over the fracture site. As your hand is not immobilised with any rigid pop cast, a minimal amount of movement will occur at the fracture site during routine activities which is delaying the fracture union in your case. Anyway, the fracture unites but may take a bit longer time. Hope this helps