Boxer's fracture: management and outcomes

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Emergency medicine
• Trauma care

Background:

• Boxer's fractures are prevalent hand injuries with variable management protocols.
• Standardization of treatment is needed to improve patient outcomes.
• A dedicated care pathway was implemented in an emergency department setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical validity and safety of a standardized boxer's fracture care pathway.
• To assess functional outcomes for patients discharged without follow-up.
• To determine the efficacy of the pathway for specific fracture types.

Main Methods:

• Clinical service evaluation of a boxer's fracture care pathway.
• Analysis of functional outcomes in patients with 50° or less palmar angulation.
• Assessment of return-to-work timelines and patient recovery.

Main Results:

• Patients with uncomplicated boxer's fractures (≤50° palmar angulation) showed good functional outcomes.
• The majority of patients were able to return to work immediately post-discharge.
• No follow-up was required for these specific fracture cases, indicating successful management.

Conclusions:

• The standardized care pathway is a safe and effective approach for managing uncomplicated boxer's fractures.
• Discharging patients with ≤50° palmar angulation without follow-up is a viable strategy.
• The pathway contributes to consistent and efficient management of common hand injuries.