How Long Does it Take to heal a Metacarpal Fracture in the Hand?

Physiotherapist, I answer frequently asked questions about the healing time of a metacarpal fracture in the hand: how long does it take to heal properly?

To return to work or sport? To use your hand as you used to?

I also rely on studies that follow people who have broken a metacarpal for several weeks or months.

♻️ Last update: March 24, 2025
👩‍⚖️ Declaration of financial interests: none directly related to the subject. My complete declaration of financial interests is in the legal notice section.
Written by Nelly Darbois, physiotherapist and scientific editor

What type of metacarpal fracture am I talking about here?

Metacarpal fractures are the second most common fractures of the hand after phalangeal fractures (the tips of the fingers).

You can break a single metacarpal or several at once.

In this article, I discuss the healing time of a metacarpal fracture, whether one or more metacarpals have been broken:

• the fifth metacarpal (5th), that of the little finger, which is the most frequently fractured;
• the second metacarpal (index finger) ;
• the third or fourth metacarpal ;
• thumb metacarpal (first metacarpal).

These fractures may be non-displaced or displaced (large gap between the various broken bone fragments).

You will normally find precise information on the type of fracture you have on your X-ray report.

How long should the splint or immobilization be kept on?

Whether or not you have had surgery for your metacarpal fracture, you will generally be prescribed a few days or weeks of relative immobilization: this is known as orthopedic treatment.

The aim of this immobilization is to encourage consolidation and relieve pain.

But it’s generally limited in time, as there’s a risk that your finger will become stiff and interfere with your daily life.

In general, we recommend that you keep the splint, tape (syndactyly) or cast on until your follow-up X-ray, or even a little less (around 2/4 weeks).

Sometimes the fingers are positioned in slight flexion for immobilization. There are no studies showing that it is better to immobilize the fingers in one position rather than another (Kollitz 2014).

If you have a splint or syndactyly (a kind of bandage that connects your broken finger to another finger), you’ll normally have a clear indication of the length of immobilization recommended in your case.

If you have no particular indication, it’s usually because we feel that immobilization is only there to relieve your pain. In this case, you can gradually leave your splint in the days or weeks following the metacarpal fracture.

In any case, if you find that the recommended time is too long (or too short), you can discuss it with your physiotherapist or doctor to see if it is possible and appropriate to adapt the immobilization time!

How long does it take for the metacarpal bone to consolidate?

Finger bones generally consolidate fairly quickly, as they are short bones with little stress.

In general, consolidation is well underway:

• 3 to 6 weeks after your metacarpal fracture, if you have not undergone surgery;
• 3 to 6 weeks after the operation if you have had surgery on one or more metacarpals.

The average healing time for a metacarpal fracture is 49 days.

This is why a follow-up X-ray is often taken about 1 month after the fracture.

If you’ve had several broken metacarpals at once, or other associated fractures, it may take a few weeks longer to heal.

It is very rare for the fractured metacarpal bone not to consolidate (non-union fracture): this happens in only 0.3 to 0.7% of cases.

Source: Werntz 2023

How long before reconducting?

The Highway Code states that it is the motorist’s responsibility to ensure that he or she is in a condition to be sufficiently responsive at all times. If you have a large brace, it’s best not to drive while it’s on.

As soon as the splint is off, if you’re comfortable enough to turn the steering wheel or shift gears, you can drive your car home straight away. This is usually 2/3 weeks after your metacarpal fracture.

➡️ See my more comprehensive article on driving a car after a fracture or operation.

How long will it take to use the hand again?

On average, people who have had a metacarpal fracture resume all their daily activities 4 to 6 weeks after the fracture.

For the first few days after your fracture, you can use your arm on the fractured side to eat or carry light objects, as long as the splint does not prevent you from doing so.

As soon as the splint is off, you can gradually reboot your hand as before. You can adapt the splint to any pain or stiffness you feel.

If you feel you lack flexibility or strength, you can consult a physiotherapist, with or without a prescription, to see what you can do to regain mobility in your fingers.

Physiotherapy sessions are not always prescribed for a metacarpal fracture, depending mainly on the difficulties you encounter and the stakes involved. For example, a pianist or rock-climber is more likely to benefit from physical therapy.

Source: Werntz 2023

A study of high-level 🏈 American soccer players who had suffered a major metacarpal fracture (requiring surgery) found that the average time back on the field after the fracture was 6.3 days.

The fastest player was out for just 1 day, while the longest took 21 days. All wore protective splints during play for an average of 21 days (and for some, up to 36 days after the fracture).

Source: Etier 2015

Another study of people involved in various competitive sports found that, on average, people recovered 22 days after a metacarpal fracture.

The sports concerned were rugby, handball, baseball, horse riding, American soccer, soccer, skiing, combat sports, running, swimming, gymnastics, wrestling and luge.

Source: Geoghegan 2021

How long before I can go back to work?

Some people continue to work with a metacarpal fracture. It all depends on your professional activity!

The French Health Insurance (Assurance maladie) has issued recommendations concerning the duration of time off work after a hand fracture, and more specifically for a metacarpal fracture.

Here they are:

For a non-operated metacarpal fracture, the recommended time off work is 3 days for sedentary work, and up to 42 days for very physical work.

In the case of surgery, the typical duration is 7 to 42 days.

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That’s all I wanted to say on the subject! Any questions or comments? See you in comments!

If you feel the need to learn more about the recovery period after this type of fracture, I wrote this guide in eBook format: