In the last couple of years I've had a few coaches ask me questions about the wrapping of the hand. Seems like there's a huge interest in the proper
way of wrapping. Ever since I started working with professional boxers one of the things I've done is researched common hand injuries, bone structure,
tendons, ligaments,etc. Once you have a good understanding of this it will be really easy to wrap a boxers hands.
Many coaches wrap all boxers the same way. I've never agreed with this. One of the first questions I ask a boxers who's hand I'm wrapping for the first
time is if he's ever had any serious hand injuries. This will be the deciding factor on exactly how I'll be wrapping a boxers hand. If he's had problems
with his wrist I'll focus on securing and protecting the wrist.
Wrapping amateurs is a bit different. You usually have to wrap based on who's the chief of officials or checking the handwraps. These guys are never
on the same page. I had a official tell me at the 2011 JO State tournament that we weren't allowed to place tape around the thumb. This was a first.
Seems like some of these power tripped officials like to find ways to make it seem like they, "know better" or "more". Although I knew its was BS I went
ahead and removed the tape. The following week I called up the National office and was informed the official was wrong.
One official pinched my boxers finger and said,"this is wrong, it's to tight, redo it". it was tight for a reason, he had problems with his wrist. This was a
matter of opinion so I decided not to redo the wraps. Most officials don't have a complete understanding on the different methods used to protect the
hand. Most officials think we as coaches have this "secret" way of doing something to the handwraps to make 65 pound boxer punch like Mike Tyson.
We don't. Leave us alone, let us do our jobs.
Boxer's Fracture Overview
A boxer's fracture is defined as a break through the bones of the hand that form the knuckles. Some doctors use the term "brawler's fracture" rather
than "boxer's fracture" because a boxer is not likely to get this injury. The less well-trained brawlers have to learn how to punch without hurting
themselves.
The metacarpal bones in the hand connect the bones in the finger to the bones in the wrist. There are 5 metacarpal bones-1 to connect each finger to
the wrist. All of the metacarpal bones have the same anatomic structure. Each consists of the base, the shaft, the neck, and the head. The base of the
metacarpal bone is the portion that attaches to the bones of the wrist. The shaft is the long, slender portion of the bone. The neck is the portion of the
bone that connects the shaft to the head. The head of the metacarpal bone connects the metacarpal bone to the bone of the finger. The head of the
metacarpal bones form the knuckle of an enclosed fist. A boxer's fracture involves a break in the neck of the metacarpal. This was described originally
in the fracture of the metacarpal bone of the little (small) finger because this is the most common one to break when punching an immovable object.
Boxer's fractures occur in the metacarpal bones that connect the ring finger or the little finger to the wrist. These are known as the fourth and fifth
metacarpal bones. Some doctors include breaks in the neck of the second and third metacarpal bones in the definition of a boxer's fracture. The
second metacarpal bone connects the index finger to the wrist, and the third metacarpal connects the middle finger to the wrist.
Boxer's Fracture Symptoms
The typical symptoms of a boxer's fracture are pain or tenderness centered in a specific location on the hand corresponding to one of the metacarpal
bones, around the knuckle. You may also note pain with movement of your hand or fingers.
•When a bone is broken, you may experience a snapping or popping sensation in the affected bone.
•Your hand may swell, discolor, or bruise around the injury site. Deformity of the broken bone or the knuckle, may also be noted. There may also be
abnormal movement of the broken bone fragments. The doctor may be able to produce pain by pressing on the broken bone. In addition, pain can be
produced by grabbing the finger that attaches to the metacarpal bone that was hurt and pushing it inward toward the broken bone.
•If you make a fist with the affected hand, the doctor may notice misalignment of the associated finger. The doctor may see a deformity of the broken
bone. When making a fist, the finger involved may bend toward the thumb more than is usual. This is known as rotation, and, though not always seen,
its presence may indicate the possibility of a more serious type of boxer's fracture.
•Another common sign of a possible boxer's fracture is a cut on the hand. A cut in the skin associated with a boxer's fracture may indicate a more
serious type of boxer's fracture.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/boxers_fracture/article_em.htm
Common Sense Protection of the hands
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