Boxer's knuckle. Traumatic disruption of the extensor hood.
The unique function of the boxer's hand requires persistent, forceful punching in a constantly clenched fist posture, therefore, the metacarpophalangeal joints are continually exposed to blunt trauma and highly vulnerable to injury. This injury is traditionally termed boxer's knuckle. Although a myriad of metacarpophalangeal joint derangement is apt to result from isolated or repetitive blows inflicted and absorbed by the hand, the most serious and disabling type of boxer's knuckle is extensor hood disruption. Based on experience with 27 surgical cases, this article describes characteristic extensor hood pathology and operative techniques that have afforded a consistently favorable outcome.
Hame
S L
SL
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, USA. shame@mednet.ucla.edu
Melone
C P
CP
D000328:Adult; D001914:Boxing / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome