First is simply with a splint, which can realign the fracture fragments. After an injury, if swelling and pain still limit the use of your fingers, or your fingers become numb, then you will want to seek medical attention.
If your injury includes crushed tissue, laceration, exposed bone , you must go to the emergency room or seek medical care immediately. Some fractures can be subtle and the pain might be bearable. But if you suspect that your finger might be fractured, you should seek medical attention. The main tool to diagnose broken fingers is with an X-ray.
The doctor will need to do an X-ray to see the position of the broken finger bones. For more complex injuries, the doctor might need to get the advice of an orthopedic whos specializes with bones and joints. Or your doctor might need to consult with a hand surgeon. Broken fingers should only be treated by a medical professional. However, you can reduce the pain and stabilize your injury on the way to get medical attention.
You will want to first make a splint to immobilize the finger. You can do this by placing a pen or popsicle stick next to the finger, and then wrap something around the stick and finger. Be sure that you wrap loosely as if your finger is wrapped too tightly, it can cause more swelling and could cut off your circulation.
Keep your finger elevated. Before any swelling happens, make sure that you remove any rings or jewelry from the hand that is affected. Your doctor will assess the stability of your broken finger. This is when your finger is splinted to another with tape. Buddy taping should stay for about four weeks, then two more weeks of not using your finger.
If you have an unstable fracture, then your finger will need to be immobilized. You might need a split after reduction which is when the fractured fragments are re-aligned. Your surgeon will have different techniques of surgical immobilization. This could range from pinning the fracture with small wires, to a procedure involving screws and plates.
You will likely leave the hospital with some sort of splint that immobilizes you. Keep this clean and elevated, and try not to use your hand for at least one-week post-injury.
If your finger needs surgery, then you will leave the hospital with a splint or dressing. Your splint is what is holding your fractured finger in the right position to encourage healing. Any activity can hurt the injury and increase pain. You hand specialist might want to see you about a week after the injury happened for another x-ray. Here they will evaluate the position of your fracture fragments.
There are some rare cases where after surgery, an infection can happen. You will know you have an infection if you have a fever, swelling, increased redness, and intense pain in the finger. Other signs of an infection include a pus discharge and a foul smell from the injury.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you will need to immediately seek medical attention. The most common problem after broken finger treatment is joint stiffness. This is because of scar tissue formation and due to the immobilization period. This can lead to decreased ability to use your injured finger, such as when you are trying to grasp something.
This can also cause a deformity. This leaves the fractured area unstable. The best way to get an accurate picture is with an X-ray. If you see your primary care physician and have a more complicated break, ask for a referral to an orthopaedist. In the case of a complex fracture, a specialist is the best person to provide a diagnosis and move forward with a treatment plan.
But if you wait too long, it can impact healing and possibly lead to decreased range of motion or reduced grip strength. If you have any of the warning signs, it makes sense to see a doctor as soon as possible. The first critical step for any finger injury is immobilization. We need to keep the finger in place to allow it to heal. Your doctor may recommend a cast or splint depending on where and how severe the fracture is.
For a stable fracture, a simple splint may do the trick. There are also specialized splints available for fingertip and thumb injuries. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a cast up to the elbow to protect the finger and let it heal, even for stable breaks. You may need surgery for more complex fractures, and this may mean pins, screws, or wires to help with healing, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Whatever treatment approach you need, careful follow-up is essential, including follow-up X-rays to monitor healing.
A finger injury can be frustrating and can create a surprising number of limitations. When we think about how we use our fingers in everyday activities, from writing to cooking to dressing, we realize how vital full use of our fingers is. In some cases, there are simple exercises you can do at home. Additionally, hand injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries in the United States, second only to back injuries.
Whenever you injure your finger, you may feel pain, swelling or stiffness when trying to move the affected digit. However, there are a few particularly telltale signs that point to a fracture:. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Mark Yaffe are experienced hand specialists at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists.
To learn more about our physicians, visit our list of providers. A finger jam can usually be treated with over-the-counter NSAIDs and ice to reduce swelling, though severe sprains may require a splint to ensure the ligaments heal correctly. In this case immediate treatment is needed to properly evaluate and possibly reduce the dislocation. Waiting to treat a dislocated finger can result in long-term difficulties, including loss of movement or sensation.
Luckily, most broken finger bones can be treated without the need for surgery.
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