How long does a hand need to be immobilized after a broken fourth or fifth metacarpal?
It totally depends on how each individual person heals. I suggest you go to a doctor on this one, if you already have then just listen to his directions. Broken bones are a lot bigger of a deal then most people think. You can have loose bone fragments that can seriously hurt you more, or it can be misaligned and heal wrong or heal weak. All of witch can leave you with crippling illness and injury, and that’s not even touching the possibility of internal bleeding and infections. —- Heal time also depends on type of break: Nondisplaced fractures can be managed with splinting for 3 weeks followed by protected active range of motion. Noncomminuted fractures with greater than 25% of the articular surface involved and/or greater than 1 mm of articular displacement should be treated with ORIF. Use a dorsal approach, splitting the extensor tendon to view the joint. Perform anatomic reduction under direct vision. Care must be taken during the operation to avoid stripping of soft tissues to mi
