Abstract
There are unique hand injuries that are frequently encountered in boxers: boxer’s knuckle and carpometacarpal instability. Recognition of the mechanics of boxing and the sites vulnerable to injury can help to prevent injury through careful training, adjusting punching, avoiding excessive punching and the use of taping, custom-made gloves and flexible casts. In this chapter, we discuss the relevant anatomy, clinical features and surgical management of the conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Gunther SF. The carpometacarpal joints. Orth Clin North Am. 1984;15:259–77.
Hakistan RW, Tubiana R. Ulnar deviation of the fingers. The role of joint structure and function. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1967;49:299–316.
Hoare C, Singh H, Loosemore M, Hayton M. Boxer’s knuckle in elite athletes. Podium presentation at the British Society for Surgery of the hand autumn scientific meeting October 2014.
Ishizuki M. Traumatic and spontaneous dislocation of extensor tendon of the long finger. J Hand Surg Am. 1970;15:967–72.
Melone CP, Polatsch DB, Beldner S. Disabling hand injuries in boxing: Boxer’s knuckle and traumatic carpal boss. Clin Sports Med. 2009;28:609–21.
Nazarian N, Page RS, Hoy G, Hayton M, Loosemore M. Combined joint fusion for index and middle carpometacarpal instability in elite boxers. J Hand Surg Eur. 2013;39:242–8.
Pankaj A, Malhotra R, Bhan S. Isolated dislocation of the four ulnar carpometacarpal joints. Arch Orth Tr Surg. 2005;125:541–4.
Santini A, Douglas DL. Second metacarpal joint dislocation: an impossible situation. Int J Clin Pract. 1998;52:517–8.
Stojsih S, Boitano M, Wilhelm M, Bir C. A prospective study of punch biomechanics and cognitive function for amateur boxers. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(10):725–30.
Walilko TJ. Biomechanics of the head for Olympic boxer punches to the face. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39(10):710–9.
Wehbe MA. Junctura anatomy. J Hand Surg Am. 1992;17:1124–9.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Appendices
Questions
-
1.
In boxing, what is the relative distribution of force transmission to the metacarpal heads during a punch?
-
2.
What could be damaged in a boxer’s knuckle?
-
3.
CMC instability often occurs in the index or middle finger in isolation. True or false?
Answers
-
1.
The index and middle fingers each withstand approximately 33% of this force, whilst the ring and little only take 15–20%.
-
2.
Extensor mechanism, joint capsule and articular cartilage.
-
3.
False.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hayton, M., Dickson, D. (2019). Hand Injuries in the Elite Boxer. In: Hayton, M., Ng, C., Funk, L., Watts, A., Walton, M. (eds) Sports Injuries of the Hand and Wrist. In Clinical Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02134-4_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02134-4_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-02133-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-02134-4
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)