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Boxer fracture

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Punched wall after losing 12 games of rock paper scissors lizard spock in a row.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

X-ray right hand

x-ray

A fracture through the neck of the fifth metacarpal is noted, with palmar angulation. 

X-ray hand - 4 months later

x-ray

The fracture has united with persistent palmar angulation.

Case Discussion

This case illustrates typical appearances of a boxer fracture, a common fracture in young men, when they punch animate (other young men) or inanimate (usually walls) objects. 

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