Editing Metacarpal bones (section)

==Clinical significance==

=== Congenital disorders ===
The fourth and fifth metacarpal bones are commonly "blunted" or shortened, in [[pseudohypoparathyroidism]] and [[pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism]].

A blunted fourth metacarpal, with normal fifth metacarpal, can signify [[Turner syndrome]].

Blunted metacarpals (particularly the fourth metacarpal) are a symptom of [[nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome]].

===Fracture===
The neck of a metacarpal is a common location for a [[boxer's fracture]], but all parts of the metacarpal bone (including head, body and base) are susceptible to fracture. During their lifetime, 2.5% of individuals will experience at least one metacarpal fracture. [[Bennett's fracture]] (base of the thumb) is the most common.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Goru |first1=Poornanand |last2=Haque |first2=Syed |last3=Verma |first3=Gopalkrishna G. |last4=Mustafa |first4=Abubakar |last5=Ebinesan |first5=Ananthan |year=2022 |title=Bennett's Fracture Management: A Systematic Review of Literature |journal=Cureus |volume=14 |issue=11 |pages=e31340 |doi=10.7759/cureus.31340 |doi-access=free |issn=2168-8184 |pmc=9733783 |pmid=36514567}}</ref> Several types of treatment exist ranging from non-operative techniques, with or without immobilization, to operative techniques using closed or [[Internal fixation|open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)]]. Generally, most fractures showing little or no displacement can be treated successfully without surgery.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1255690810|title=GREEN'S OPERATIVE HAND SURGERY : 2-volume set.|date=2022|publisher=ELSEVIER - HEALTH SCIENCE|isbn=978-0-323-69793-4|location=[S.l.]|oclc=1255690810}}</ref> Intraarticular fracture-dislocations of the metacarpal head or base may require surgical fixation, as fragment displacement affecting the joint surface is rarely tolerated well.<ref name=":0" />