Thumb Fractures

Bennett and Rolando Fracture Treatment Specialist in Utah

A Bennett fracture is a fracture-dislocation at the base of the thumb involving the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. This injury commonly occurs after a fall, sports injury, skiing accident, punching injury, or other trauma to the thumb. Because the fracture involves the joint surface and the strong pull of nearby tendons, Bennett fractures are often unstable and almost always require surgery to restore alignment and thumb function.

Dr. Chris English is a fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon treating Bennett fractures and thumb injuries in Layton, Ogden, Bountiful, and Northern Utah.

What Is a Bennett Fracture?

A Bennett fracture is a break at the base of the first metacarpal near the thumb CMC joint. The fracture typically creates a small fragment that remains attached to the joint while the larger portion of the thumb metacarpal shifts out of position due to tendon forces.

Because the thumb is critical for pinch, grip, and hand function, maintaining proper alignment is important to help minimize long-term pain, weakness, stiffness, and arthritis.

Common Causes of Bennett Fractures

Bennett fractures are high energy injuries that occur from falls onto the hand, skiing and snowboarding injuries, mountain biking accidents, sports injuries, punching injuries, motor vehicle accidents (airbag deployment)

How Do You Know If You Have a Bennett Fracture

  • Pain at the base of the thumb, especially with gripping

  • Swelling and bruising at the base of the thumb and wrist

  • Weak grip or pinch strength

There is usually no a lot of deformity and some patients think they have only “jammed” or sprained their thumb. These are serious fractures that require surgery to realign the joint to allow mobility and decrease the chance of arthritis.

How Is a Bennett Fracture Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is typically made with physical examination and x-rays of the thumb and hand

For surgical planning CT scan may be needed

Because Bennett fractures involve the thumb joint surface, even small amounts of displacement may affect thumb mechanics and long-term function.

Do Bennett Fractures Require Surgery?

Yes!! Almost always. Bennett fractures are unstable because of tendon forces pulling on the thumb metacarpal.

If the fracture is only a hairline break it may treated in a thumb spica cast and monitored closely with weekly xrays.

Bennett Fracture Surgery

Surgical treatment may involve closed reduction and pinning, percutaneous screw placement or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with placement of plates and screws.

The goal of surgery is to restore thumb joint alignment, improve stability of the joint, allow for normal motion and strength when the bone is healed and prevent reduce the risk of post-traumatic arthritis

Dr. Chris English treats thumb fractures and hand injuries using modern fixation techniques designed to restore alignment while minimizing additional soft tissue trauma.

Recovery After Bennett Fracture Surgery

Wk 0 - 1 : Protection in a postop splint

Wk 1 - 6 : Protection and a therapist splint of cast

Wk 6 - 10 : Progressive range of motion

Wk 11+ Strengthening and return to full activity

Recovery will vary based on

  • fracture severity and displacement displacement

  • surgical technique (pins vs plates)

  • other injuries or fractures in the area

  • patient healing

Can a Bennett Fracture Cause Arthritis?

Because Bennett fractures involve the thumb joint surface, poorly aligned fractures may increase the risk of:

  • thumb arthritis

  • chronic pain

  • weakness

  • stiffness

  • decreased grip or pinch strength

Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment help reduce the risk of long-term joint problems.

What Is the Difference Between a Bennett Fracture and a Rolando Fracture?

A Bennett fracture usually involves a two-part fracture-dislocation at the base of the thumb metacarpal.

A Rolando fracture is typically a more comminuted or multi-fragment fracture involving the same region and is often more severe and unstable.

Both injuries can significantly affect thumb function and may require surgical treatment.

Thumb Fracture Specialist in Northern Utah

Dr. Chris English is a board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon specializing in hand, wrist, and upper extremity injuries in Northern Utah. He treats Bennett fractures, Rolando fractures, skier’s thumb injuries, thumb arthritis, tendon injuries, wrist fractures, and other complex hand injuries.

Patients are seen from:

  • Layton

  • Ogden

  • Bountiful

  • Farmington

  • Davis County

  • Weber County

  • the Salt Lake metro area

  • Northern Utah