ABSTRACT
Background
Ultrasound has been previously utilized in fracture identification, analgesia delivery,
and fracture reduction in Emergency Department patients. It has not been previously
described as a tool for the guidance of closed fracture reduction in fifth metacarpal
neck fractures (Boxer's fractures).
Case Report
A 28 year old male presented with hand pain and swelling after punching a wall. Point-of-care
ultrasound revealed a significantly angulated fifth metacarpal fracture, which was
confirmed with subsequent hand x-ray. Following an ultrasound guided ulnar nerve block,
closed reduction was performed. Ultrasound was used to assess reduction and ensure
improvement in bony angulation during the closed reduction attempts. Post reduction
x-ray confirmed improved angulation and adequate alignment
Why should an emergency physician be aware of this? Point of care ultrasound has previously
shown efficacy in fracture diagnosis and anesthesia delivery for fifth metacarpal
fractures. Ultrasound can also be employed at the bedside to assist in the determination
of adequate fracture reduction when performing closed reduction of a Boxer's fracture
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Journal of Emergency MedicineAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 6,
2023
Received in revised form:
December 23,
2022
Received:
August 16,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Accepted ManuscriptFootnotes
Disclosures: None
Journal of Emergency Medicine has full permission to use any published material
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
