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What is a metacarpal hand fracture?
This hand fracture is a break through the bone in the hand known as the metacarpal.
A metacarpal fracture can happen in a variety of ways including a fall on an outstretched hand, a crushing injury, or hitting an object with a clenched fist. There is usually immediate pain and swelling in the hand. It is common to see a bump over the back of the hand where the fracture is located.
How is your fracture protected whilst it is healing?
Your Consultant may recommend that either your hand is placed in a splint or your fingers are tapped together, or both. The splint is a thermoplastic material which is moulded to your hand to support the joints around your fracture.
You may be advised to exercise your hand within the splint or taping. Exercise reduces joint stiffness, reduces swelling and helps an early recovery.
It can take between two and four weeks for the fracture to heal but many more weeks for the fracture to become fully strong. You must avoid heavy lifting and contact sports for at least eight weeks.
Exercise
There are many important structures that lie very close to your hand fracture. These include the tendons which straighten and bend your finger. If you do not move your finger these tendons can stick to the healing bone and reduce finger movement. This may make certain activities difficult such as strong gripping.
These exercises will help the tendons to glide over the fracture and achieve the best possible results.
- Start by fully straightening the small joints of the fingers fully, hold.
• Fully bend the small joints of the fingers into a loose fist, hold.
Frequency: Hourly, every 2-3 hours
Advice
Swelling
- Swelling is normal after an injury. To help reduce swelling, keep your hand elevated above your heart.
Splint
- Your splint can be washed with cool, soapy water. Completely dry before re-applying to your hand.
Driving
- You are advised not to drive in the early stages of hand fracture healing or until you have appropriate hand function.
Contact the Hand Therapy Department (using the contact details below) if you have any problems or concerns such as:
- increased swelling,
- pain,
- skin irritation,
- splint rubbing or too tight/loose,
- reduced hand range of movement.
Future Management
At ……… weeks after your fracture you may reduce the time you wear your splint.
You must continue to wear the splint at night and for protection for a further ………… weeks.
Contact Details
If you have any concerns, or need to change your Hand Therapy appointment, please contact the Therapy Department on:
Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 3396
Heatherwood Hospital: 0300 614 0540 Option 3
Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 614 0540 Option 2
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Hand therapy service.
About this information
Service:
Hand therapy
Reference:
UU/009
Approval date:
19 February 2026
Review date:
1 February 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.