title: Boxer's fracture: management and outcomes.
abstract: Boxer's fractures are common hand injuries, but their management varies greatly. Two years ago, a boxer's fracture care pathway was developed for use in the Royal London Hospital emergency department to standardise management. This article describes a clinical service evaluation carried out to test the validity of the pathway. The evaluation examined the functional outcomes of patients with boxer's fractures with 50° or less palmar angulation who were discharged with no follow up. Findings show that most returned to work immediately and had good functional outcomes, which suggests that the pathway is safe for uncomplicated fractures with 50° or less palmar angulation.
authors.affiliation: Royal London Hospital, London.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eldridge
authors.affiliation: City University London.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Apau
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Boxer’s fracture; care pathway; fifth metacarpal fracture; follow up; function; hand injuries