The Bennett and Rolando Fracture

The Bennett fracture was first described at the end of the 19th century by the English surgeon Bennett, after whom it was named. This is a very common injury among boxers, as a result of which a triangular fragment breaks off from the ulnar edge of the base of the first metacarpal bone. Due to the ligaments, the fragment remains in place, but the metacarpal bone itself is dislocated in the dorso-radial direction. Thus, in fact, a Bennett fracture is not only a fracture, but also a dislocation at the same time.

Externally, there is swelling and deformity of the joint at the site of the injury, severe pain is felt when pressed, the victim cannot take his thumb away; sometimes bone fragments are felt. The final diagnosis is made on the basis of radiography in two projections.

A Rolando fracture is, like a Bennett fracture, an injury to the base of the first metacarpal bone. Externally, the manifestations are also similar to the symptoms of a Bennett fracture: swelling, sharp pain, limited thumb abduction. It differs from the Bennett fracture in that it is a multi-jointed fracture, and the fault line itself has the shape of an inverted letter U.

A Rolando fracture is diagnosed based on an X-ray.