What is the approximate time back to sports following a metacarpal fracture?
Following a metacarpal fracture treated operatively or non-operatively, the patient’s hand and wrist are immobilized in a splint, cast or sometimes a removable splint as it heals. Radiographs are taken periodically to be sure that the fracture maintains its proper alignment and continues to heal. Metacarpal fractures usually take few months to heal, but the exact timing of an athlete’s return to their sport depends on how stable the fracture is and how much risk of re-displacing the fracture, the athlete, and treating physician feels comfortable with. In some sports, the athlete can train or compete even with a cast on such as running while others like swimming are virtually impossible to participate in until a splint or cast is no longer worn. Sometimes in collision sports like football, an athlete can compete with a protective removable splint while the fracture continues to heal although this is usually only possible for certain positions like lineman and defenders because they don’
