Understanding Bennett Fracture
Bennett's fracture is a break of the lower part of the first metacarpal bone in your thumb. The most common cause for this injury is a direct blow to a thumb that is bent.
The thumb bone closest to your wrist is called the first metacarpal. This bone meets the wrist at a joint called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Bennett fracture is a break of the lower part of the first metacarpal bone. The fracture is often displaced. This means that the first metacarpal no longer sits correctly in the joint.
What causes Bennett 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
Fistfights
Contact sports such as football or rugby
Symptoms of Bennett fracture
Symptoms of this type of fracture include:
Severe pain and weakness of the thumb
Swelling of the base of the thumb and back of the hand
Bruising
Misalignment of the thumb
Trouble moving the thumb
Numbness or coldness in the thumb
Treatment for Bennett fracture
Treatment depends on whether the broken ends of the bone are displaced. This means that they have moved away from each other.
Treatment often includes reduction of the fracture. This involves moving the broken pieces of bone back into alignment with each other. It also involves moving the bone back into the CMC joint.
Closed reduction is done without surgery. You are given medicine to prevent pain. The surgeon then moves the bones back into place from outside the skin. In many cases, the provider puts pins through tiny incisions to hold the reduction in place.
Open reduction is done using surgery. You are given medicine to prevent pain and make you sleep. The surgeon makes incisions in the skin. They then move the bones back into place. Removable pins or screws are used to hold the bones in place while they heal.
After the reduction:
A cast or splint is put on your hand to keep the thumb from moving while the bones heal.
You will be given medicines to help control pain and swelling.
You will be told to ice and elevate your hand to help control pain and swelling.
After healing, try stretching and strengthening exercises to help regain full use of the thumb and hand.
Possible complications of Bennett fracture
Complications include:
Bones not healing or healing in a bad position
Continued pain in the thumb or hand
Continued weakness in the thumb or hand
Stiffness of the thumb joint
Arthritis
When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:
Pain that gets worse
Symptoms that don’t get better, or get worse
The thumb becomes cold or numb
Redness, warmth, or drainage
Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider
Chills
The thumbnail becomes blue or gray
New symptoms