Best Bennett's Fracture Treatment In Delhi NCR.
What is Bennett's Fracture ?
A Bennett’s fracture is a specific type of fracture at the base of your thumb’s first metacarpal bone. It is an intra-articular fracture, meaning it extends into the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint where your thumb connects to your wrist. This fracture is often unstable and can lead to complications like osteoarthritis if not treated properly.
How Bennett's Fracture Typically Happen?
A Bennett’s fracture usually occurs due to an axial force applied to a partially flexed thumb. This can happen during:
- A fall onto an outstretched hand.
- A direct blow to the thumb, such as in boxing or other contact sports.
Symptoms
- Pain: Severe pain at the base of your thumb.
- Swelling: Swelling around the base of your thumb and the back of your hand.
- Bruising: Bruising may appear around the injured area.
- Weakness: Difficulty with grip and pinch strength.
- Limited Movement: Reduced range of motion in your thumb.
- Deformity: In some cases, there might be a visible misalignment of the thumb.
- Tenderness: Tenderness to the touch at the base of your thumb.
Diagnosis
A doctor or Physiotherapist will diagnose a Bennett’s fracture through:-
- Physical Examination: Assessing your symptoms, checking for swelling, tenderness, and any visible deformity. They will also evaluate your thumb’s stability and range of motion.
- X-rays: Standard X-rays are usually sufficient to diagnose a Bennett’s fracture. Specific views might be taken to better visualize the fracture.
- CT Scan: In some cases, a CT scan may be ordered to get a more detailed view of the fracture and any associated damage to the joint.
Treatment for Bennett's Fracture
The primary goal of treatment is to realign the fractured bone fragments and stabilize the thumb to allow for proper healing. Treatment options depend on the severity and displacement of the fracture and can include:
- Closed Reduction and Immobilization: If the fracture fragments are not significantly displaced, the doctor may be able to realign them without surgery (closed reduction). Following this, your thumb and wrist will be immobilized in a thumb spica cast or splint for several weeks (typically 4-6 weeks) to allow the bone to heal.
- Surgical Intervention (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation – ORIF or Percutaneous Fixation): Surgery is often required for Bennett’s fractures due to their inherent instability.
- ORIF: This involves making an incision to directly visualize the fracture, realign the bone fragments, and then fix them in place using pins, wires, screws, or plates.
- Percutaneous Fixation: This involves making small incisions and using wires (K-wires) inserted through the skin to hold the fracture fragments in the correct position. These wires are usually removed after a few weeks.
Physiotherapy for Bennett's Fracture
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process after a Bennett’s fracture, regardless of whether you had surgery or just immobilization. The goals of physiotherapy are to:
- Reduce pain and swelling: Initially, treatment may focus on managing pain and edema using ice, elevation, and gentle massage around the cast or splint (if allowed).
- Restore range of motion: Once the cast or splint is removed (or as directed by your surgeon), gentle exercises will be introduced to regain movement in your thumb and wrist. This will start with passive movements (where the therapist moves your thumb) and progress to active-assisted and then active movements (where you move your thumb yourself).
- Improve strength: As healing progresses and movement returns, strengthening exercises for the muscles of your thumb, hand, and wrist will be initiated. This may involve using putty, resistance bands, or light weights.
- Enhance dexterity and coordination: Exercises to improve fine motor skills, such as picking up small objects, manipulating buttons, or writing, will be incorporated.
- Scar tissue management (if surgery was performed): Techniques to minimize scar tissue buildup and improve its mobility.
- Functional retraining: Practicing everyday activities to help you regain full use of your hand and thumb.
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