Metacarpal fracture on X‑ray: 13 real cases

Real, openly licensed radiographs showing metacarpal fracture. Study what to look for, then open each case and read it yourself before revealing the answer.

What to look for

  • A fracture line through a metacarpal: head, neck, shaft or base.
  • The fifth metacarpal neck is the commonest site (boxer's fracture), with volar angulation of the head.
  • Check for rotation clinically and for associated carpometacarpal dislocation on the lateral view.

Learn: Hand fractures

Quiz yourself on upper limb images

Cases

Radiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #56633826Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #99587044Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #49213101Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #17738450Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #10637617Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #98557143Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #108013839Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #40817855Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #109905901Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #111494819Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #10637527Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #20027270Upper limb · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Metacarpal fractureCase #110127868Upper limb · Beginner

Other upper limb diagnoses

Diagnoses come from each image's documented source. Credits and licences are shown on each case and on the image credits page.