What is Bennetts fracture?
What is Bennetts fracture?
Bennett fracture is the most common fracture involving the base of the thumb. This fracture refers to an intraarticular fracture that separates the palmar ulnar aspect of the first metacarpal base from the remaining first metacarpal.
What causes a Bennetts fracture?
What causes Bennett’s fracture? The most common cause of this fracture is a direct blow to the bent thumb. This may happen during activities such as: Boxing or martial arts.
How long does it take for a Bennett fracture to heal?
It is common for the thumb to feel weak for 6 months after this injury. Occasionally loss of bone alignment occurs and additional treatment may be required. In general it takes 6 weeks for a hand fracture to heal and at least another 6 weeks for it to remodel and consolidate.
What is the location for a Bennett’s fracture?
The Bennett’s fracture occurs at the base of the thumb metacarpal (the longest bone in the thumb) where it articulates with one of the carpal (wrist) bones called the trapezium. It forms the thumb or first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint.
How painful is a Bennett fracture?
Presentation. Acute, severe pain and swelling at the base of the thumb, with grossly reduced movement at the first carpometacarpal joint. Instability at the carpometacarpal joint may be noted with gentle stressing of the thumb metacarpal.
Does a Bennett fracture require surgery?
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the most common surgery to treat Bennett’s fracture. A small incision is made at the base of your thumb. Pins or screws are used to align the dislocated bones. Surgery is followed by rest and plaster cast immobilization for about 4 weeks.
How is Bennett’s fracture diagnosed?
On physical examination Bennett’s fracture of the first carpometacarpal joint may present with: visible deformity if the fracture is displaced pain and swelling +/- ecchymosis over carpo metacarpal joint of the thumb tenderness to touch warmth over the area in acute phase decreased pinch grasp and decreased grip …
