How long to partially heal a boxer's fracture (broken hand)?

Question

How long after suffering a boxer's fracture can someone start typing, eating, writing...(light activities) with their broken hand? 30y/o male, non-smoker

Roughly how much does it cost for the ER visit and follow-up(s) (New York, no insurance). With 6 x-rays and no surgury will it be much more than $1,000 before any discounts, haggling, aid...?

I am not a boxer Debbie V, but i did break my pinky's metacarpal from punching (an interior wall that turned to be a concrete column).
I just want to know when I can use my other 4 fingers (I rarely use the pinky for anything) for things like holding a spoon, pressing down on the number-pad on a keyboard and writing a letter.

As for the ER, I am eligable for a 20-50% discount, but 50-80% of a big bill is still a lot when you can't work for an undetermined number of weeks.

Answer 1

You shouldn't be in such a contact sport with no insurance. Are you sure the league you play in didn't take out insurance on you? My dad was an umpire for baseball, and my brother played it a lot, and they both received benefits for automatic insurance they paid for to join the league.

I have no idea how much the ER in NY is, but I do know that they forgive or help for people whose income doesn't cover such medical care.

This sounds like a fracture my brother got when he fell on the bball court and a 300 lb gorilla stepped on his hand. They tried a cast for a while, but it wouldn't heal properly. He had to have surgery to pin it in place. LOL we have SO many people in our family with metal holding them together!! Esp my bike riding son who didn't see a car coming--Tons of titanium to restructure his skull, $45,000 altogether. We paid $5-6000.

Is your hand in a cast? I'd say 4-5 weeks you can do light activities, but NOTHING that hurts, twinges or anything else.

Take care and get better!
TX Mom
not an expert

Answer 2

I'm assuming since you are in a splint that it hasn't been medically treated yet. After determining how significant the fracture is, the hand will be casted with your ring finger and small finger in a bent position. If the doctor determines that they want to do surgery, a plate and screws will be put over the fracture site. Either way (cast or surgery) a bone heals roughly 80% in 8-12 weeks (2-3 months). Any disruption in this healing will only multiply the length of time to completely heal. AFter the cast is removed, stiffness and pain in the knuckles, hand and wrist are common. Rehab will help to regain motion and strength. So to answer you questions, the healing time can be at minimum 2-3 months for the fracture and up to 6 months for regaining total strength. As for the 40lb boxes, i hope you can do that one handed.