Analysis of metacarpal V fractures of an interdisciplinary emergency room of an urban German hospital from a forensic viewpoint

Metacarpal V fractures, especially metacarpal neck fractures, are known to the forensic society as a ‘boxer’s fracture’ and are described as being mostly caused by punching an immovable or firm object with force with a closed fist. To our knowledge there is no larger study that examines these fractures under forensic considerations of epidemiology. Our study includes the analysis of metacarpal V fractures in an interdisciplinary, academic and university-affiliated emergency department of an urban hospital over a period of three years. Emergency data sheets were systematically analysed and X-rays evaluated. The results were compared with the existing literature.