How do you strengthen your metacarpal bones?
Resisted wrist flexion
- Sit leaning forward with your legs slightly spread. Then place your forearm on your thigh with your affected hand and wrist in front of your knee.
- Grasp one end of an exercise band with your palm up. Step on the other end.
- Slowly bend your wrist upward for a count of 2.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How do you do hand therapy at home?
Pinch Strengthener
- Pinch a soft foam ball or some putty between the tips of your fingers and your thumb.
- Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Repeat 10 to 15 times on both hands. Do this exercise two to three times a week, but rest your hands for 48 hours in between sessions. Don’t do this exercise if your thumb joint is damaged.
How is the diagnosis of a metacarpal fracture made?
Introduction Metacarpal fractures are the most common hand injury and are divided into fractures of the head, neck, or shaft. Diagnosis is made by orthogonal radiographs the hand. Treatment is based on which metacarpal is involved, location of the fracture, and the rotation/angulation of the injury.
How long does it take for a metacarpal fracture to heal?
In general, with proper treatment and rehabilitation, the prognosis for a metacarpal fracture is excellent. Bone healing begins around six weeks, but it may take years to return to full strength. The duration of closed treatment has to be “just right.”.
How long do you wear a cast for a metacarpal fracture?
Treatment of a metacarpal fracture can usually be accomplished with the use of a cast. A cast is usually worn for 3 to 6 weeks, followed by gentle motion exercises.
What should the angulation be for a metacarpal neck fracture?
Most authors recommend nonoperative management for up to 40°–50° of apex dorsal angulation in the small finger, 30° at the ring finger, 20° at the middle finger, and 15° at the index finger [ 8, 12 ]. Acceptable results can be expected for small finger metacarpal neck fractures with angulation as high as 70° [ 25, 27, 42, 47 ].