Plan of Action 1) Radiographs Ð To visualize the metacarpal fracture, the metacarpal distal physis, the carpal-metacarpal and metacarpal-phalangeal joints. Hypothesis 1 Ð would see physeal activity on the medial side of the metacarpus Hypothesis 2 Ð would see evidence of inflammation and subchondral bone and joint capsule thickening Hypothesis 3 Ð same as hypothesis 1 with the addition of deformation of the carpal bones 2) Bloodwork Ð To look at the leukogram Hypothesis 1 and 2 Ð to determine the white blood cell parameters as evidence of infectious processes occurring Hypothesis 3 Ð the leukogram would be normal 3) Aspiration of synovial fluid for hypotheses 1 and 2 to determine whether bacteria is present. Hypothesis 1 would not have any bacteria present, while hypothesis 2 would. Also, this would help in determining the antibiotic to be used.