Osteoid osteoma of the metacarpal bone presenting after an injury

We present a case of osteoid osteoma of the right third metacarpal bone in a 23-year-old man. He had an apparent history of initial injury, followed by pain and swelling. He was initially treated for post-traumatic periostosteitis, so that the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was delayed. Computed tomography and histology confirmed the latter diagnosis. En bloc resection of the nidus was followed by complete resolution of his symptoms. This case report emphasises the difficulties in diagnosis, particularly after an injury, and illustrates its effective treatment.