Hand pain and injuries in boxing
If a knuckle, the base of your hand or your wrist hurts after boxing, stop punching. Note where the pain started, whether it followed a particular impact, and whether you can move your fingers and grip objects normally. That information can help during a medical assessment.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent medical care if you have severe pain after an impact, your hand or a finger changes shape or colour, you lose feeling, or you cannot move your hand, wrist or fingers properly or grip objects.
See a healthcare professional if the pain persists, gets worse or returns each time you train.
Hand and wrist injuries seen in boxing
Boxer's fracture
A boxer's fracture usually affects the neck of the fifth metacarpal, the bone that runs up to the little finger knuckle. Pain, swelling or a change in the shape of the knuckle after an impact are reasons to have the hand assessed.
Boxer's knuckle
This is an injury to the tissues that help stabilise the extensor tendon over a knuckle. It can involve local pain and swelling. Diagnosis requires an examination.
Injuries at the base of the hand
The carpometacarpal joints connect the metacarpals to the wrist bones. In a study of the Great Britain Olympic boxing squad, instability of these joints and boxer's knuckle were among the most frequent diagnoses. The study involved elite athletes.
Before returning to punching
If you suspect an injury or have been diagnosed with a fracture, speak to your healthcare professional before returning to bag work, pads or sparring. Follow their guidance when resuming training.
For everyday equipment checks, read our practical guide to technique, hand wraps and glove fit.