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.
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Appendices
Questions
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1.
In boxing, what is the relative distribution of force transmission to the metacarpal heads during a punch?
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2.
What could be damaged in a boxer’s knuckle?
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3.
CMC instability often occurs in the index or middle finger in isolation. True or false?
Answers
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1.
The index and middle fingers each withstand approximately 33% of this force, whilst the ring and little only take 15–20%.
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2.
Extensor mechanism, joint capsule and articular cartilage.
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3.
False.
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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
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02134-4_8
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