Finger fractures2018-12-13T13:44:14+03:00

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Finger fractures

Patient Centered Care

The bones in your fingers are called phalanges. Each finger has three phalanges, except the thumb, which has two phalanges.

A broken, or fractured, finger occurs when one or more of these bones breaks.

A break is usually the result of an injury to the hand. Although the bones in the hand are small, a broken (fractured) Finger fractures  is not a minor injury.

The bones in a normal hand line up precisely. They let you perform many specialized functions, such as grasping a pen or manipulating small objects in your palm.

When you fracture a finger bone, it can cause your whole hand to be out of alignment. Without treatment, Finger fracture  might stay stiff and painful.

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  Signs and symptoms of Finger fractures

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Your finger might also look misshapen or out of alignment (deformed). Finger fractures  /Broken fingers may be very painful, especially when you try to move them, but sometimes the discomfort is dull and tolerable. The absence of extreme pain doesn’t mean that the fracture doesn’t require me

The symptoms of a fractured finger / broken bone  include the following:
  • pain

  • Swelling

  • Tenderness

  • limited range of motion

  • Deformity of the injured finger

  • Bruising at the fracture site

Care at Home for  Finger fracture

If your doctor put a splint on your finger, wear the splint exactly as directed. Do not remove it until your doctor says that you can.

Keep your hand raised above the level of your heart as much as you can. This will help reduce swelling.

Put ice or a cold pack on your finger for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. Keep the splint dry.

Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

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Diagnosing a Fractured Finger

X-ray is mainly used to diagnose Finger fractures. Temporary splinting, ice, and pain control are helpful supportive treatments.

The type of fracture will determine the treatment. Each fracture pattern has specific characteristics that need to be addressed.

  • If there is a simple fracture, the doctor will splint the injured finger. The whole hand may be put at rest and splinted for comfort.
  • With more complex injuries, the doctor may seek the advice of an orthopedic (bone and joint specialist) or hand surgeon (who has specialized training in hand surgery).
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Comprehensive treatment of  a Fractured Finger

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Treatment for Finger fracture or a  broken finger depends on the location of the fracture and whether it’s stable. Taping the fractured finger to an adjacent intact finger may treat a stable fracture. Unstable fractures require immobilization. After your doctor aligns the fracture, or reduces it, they can apply a splint.

Sometimes your doctor may splint the fingers next to the fractured one to provide additional support. Your doctor will tell you how long to wear the splint. Usually a splint on a fractured finger is worn for about 3 weeks. You may need more x-rays over this time so that your doctor can monitor the progress of your finger as it heals.

An orthopedic surgeon or hand surgeon will determine the best treatment approach for a complicated fracture. Pins, screws, and wires are useful in surgical procedures for broken fingers. Proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of broken fingers help to preserve hand function and strength and prevent deformities.

The recovery time for a broken finger maybe as short as a few weeks or up to a year, depending upon multiple factors. The prognosis also depends on various factors, such as if there is an associated nerve injury or vascular injury, or if there’s an injury to the joint surface causing arthritis.

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You are in Great Hands

Prevention

A proper diet with adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium can help keep your bones healthy and less prone to fracture.

People who have difficulty walking and are likely to fall can do physical therapy and use assistive devices, such as a cane or walker, to help them move around safely. Athletes and laborers should exercise caution to prevent finger fractures.

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The best medicine for prevention of finger fractures is safety. Most fingers are broken from machines, falls or sporting injuries. Always use safety equipment when doing activities that may injure the hands. Despite all efforts and precautions, injuries do occur and should be evaluated as soon possible.

You may begin using your hand again as soon as your doctor determines it is okay to move your finger. Doing simple rehabilitation exercises each day will help reduce the finger’s stiffness and swelling. You may be required to see a physical therapist to assist you in these exercises.

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