A metacarpal is one of five long bones located in your hand. They form the palm and connect your finger bones (phalanges) to your wrist bones (carpals). You can feel them by pressing on the back of your hand.
Understanding Metacarpals: Structure and Function
- Location: The metacarpals are situated in the hand, forming the palm's structure. They bridge the gap between the wrist and the fingers.
- Connection: Each metacarpal bone articulates (joins) with a carpal bone in the wrist and with the proximal phalanx (the bone closest to the hand) of a corresponding finger. The thumb has a distinct metacarpal.
- Function: Metacarpals provide structural support for the hand, enabling gripping, grasping, and fine motor movements.
Metacarpal Fractures: A Common Injury
Metacarpal fractures are frequent injuries, often resulting from falls onto an outstretched hand or sports-related trauma. These fractures can range in severity and require different treatment approaches. A "boxer's fracture," for example, is a specific type of metacarpal fracture affecting the fifth metacarpal (the bone in your pinky finger side).
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, and limited hand function are common symptoms.
- Treatment: Treatment varies depending on the severity of the fracture and can include non-surgical options like splinting or casting, and surgical intervention for displaced or unstable fractures.
- Recovery: Healing typically takes 3-4 weeks, but severe fractures may necessitate a longer recovery period.
The information provided is corroborated by multiple sources, including Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24623-metacarpal-fracture), Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacarpal_bones), Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metacarpal), and numerous other medical and anatomical resources.
