fractured finger patient report

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Carelessness when working with power saws, drills, and other tools can result in a fractured finger. Symptoms Swelling of the fracture site Tenderness at the fracture site Bruising at the fracture site Inability to move the injured finger in completely Deformity of the injured finger Doctor Examination

What are the symptoms of a fractured finger?

Broken fingers or finger fractures, may account for up to 10% of all broken bones. Broken finger symptoms usually are pain immediately after the injured part of the finger, and sometimes a deformed finger.

What percentage of finger fractures are broken?

Without proper treatment, the fractured finger might remain painful and stiff. Most of the time, a fractured finger is caused from an injury to the hand. You can fracture your finger from slamming the fingers into the door or putting your hands out to save you from falling.

What happens if you don’t treat a fractured finger?

If the injury to the finger includes a laceration, crushed tissue, or exposure of bone, the individual should go to an emergency department for immediate medical care. Some fractures of the fingers may be subtle and the pain may be tolerable, so if a person suspects that they may have a finger fracture, seek medical attention.

When should I go to the ER for a finger fracture?

How do you assess a broken finger?

In the meantime, here are five signs your finger might be broken.Immediate Pain. The most tell-tale symptom of a broken finger is immediate pain after the injury. ... There's Still Some Movement. ... Bruising And Swelling. ... Stiff Fingers. ... Exposed Bone. ... The Wrist. ... The Palm. ... The Fingers.More items...•

What do doctors do to a fractured finger?

Your doctor will likely put your broken bone back into place; often, this can be done without surgery. You may get a splint or cast to hold your finger straight and protect it from further injury while it heals. Sometimes your doctor may splint the fingers next to the fractured one to provide additional support.

How long does a fractured finger take to heal?

A broken finger or thumb usually heals within 6 to 8 weeks, but it can take longer. It may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to your hand. Once it's healed, use your finger or thumb as normal. Moving it will stop it getting stiff.

How do you assess fingers?

1:585:31How to Examine the Hand | Merck Manual Professional VersionYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCheck for trigger-finger by having the patient flex each finger while you palpate over the flexorMoreCheck for trigger-finger by having the patient flex each finger while you palpate over the flexor tendon at the distal palmar crease where you may be able to feel a nodule catch in the a1.

Can you move a fractured finger?

You may still be able to move your finger even though it's broken. But moving it will usually cause pain. Sometimes the pain will be dull and not too much for you to bear. You should still see a provider even if you can tolerate the pain.

What do you know about fracture?

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones.

Can a fractured finger heal in 3 weeks?

Breaks in the bones of the finger usually heal well in about 3 to 4 weeks. The pain and swelling from a broken finger can last for weeks. But it should steadily improve, starting a few days after you break it.

Can a fractured finger heal itself?

The physicians at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists treat finger injuries on a regular basis, and many will heal on their own. However, it's important to know the difference between pain from a temporary jam and a potential fracture that needs immediate medical attention, or even surgery.

Should you sleep with a finger splint on?

Again, you must still sleep in your splint. If your occupation requires heavy bending and lifting with your fingers, you should continue to wear the tip protector at work.

Why do doctors check fingers?

The examination of the hand and nails can lead to a number of diagnoses. Some of these include liver disease (Terry's nails), kidney disease (Lindsay's nails), lung disease (nail clubbing), endocarditis and many others.

When should you XRAY a finger injury?

An X-ray should be performed if the mechanism of injury suggests a fracture is possible. Excessive pain with active and resisted movements is suspicious for tendon injury. If unsure about tendon integrity, re-evaluate in 2–3 days. Surgical referral is required for a compound fracture, tendon or nerve injury.

When should you XRAY your fingers?

A finger X-ray can help doctors find the cause of pain, tenderness, or swelling, or a deformity. It can show broken bones or dislocated joints. After a broken bone has been set, an X-ray can show if the bones are aligned and if they have healed properly.

How to tell if your finger is injured?

Does any finger overlap its neighbor? Does the injured finger angle in the wrong direction? Does the injured finger look too short? Your doctor may x-ray both of your hands to compare the injured finger to the uninjured finger on your other hand.

How long to wear a splint on a broken finger?

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.

How many bones are in the palm of your hand?

Anatomy. Your hand consists of 27 bones: eight bones in your wrist (carpals), five bones in the palm of your hand (metacarpals), and 14 bones in your fingers (phalanges). Fractures of the metacarpal bone that leads to the little finger account for about one-third of all hand fractures in adults.

What to do if you think you broke your finger?

If you think you fractured your finger, immediately tell your doctor exactly what happened and when it happened. Your doctor must determine not only which bone you fractured, but also how the bone broke. Bones can break in several ways: straight across the bone, in a spiral, into several pieces, or shatter completely.

What is the best way to fix a fractured bone?

Surgical Treatment. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, you may need surgery to put the bones into alignment. Small devices, such as pins, screws, or wire, will be used to hold your fractured bones together.

What happens if you break your finger bone?

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

How to get your finger to stop swollen?

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.

Why is it important to heal a fractured hand?

Satisfactory healing of the fracture is important to restore the function of the hand. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important, and hand therapy can help with range of motion, swelling, and strength during the healing process. Most patients have fractures which are well-aligned, or “minimally displaced.”.

What is involved with phalanx fracture surgery?

The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using either local or regional anesthesia (nerve block). During the surgery I improve the alignment of the phalanx fracture and use an implant to stabilize the bones. Fluoroscopic x-rays are used in the operating room to check the alignment. In many cases I can use temporary pins to hold the bones in place. This is a minimally-invasive technique with less scaring and is called “closed reduction and percutaneous pinning”.

How long does it take for a fracture to heal after surgery?

This healing process takes a few weeks.

What is the procedure called when you use a small plate and/or screws to fix a fractured bone?

This is called “open reduction and internal fixation”. Which technique is used depends on the patient and fracture pattern and is often determined in the operating room.

Do you need surgery for a fractured finger?

Most patients have fractures which are well-aligned, or “minimally displaced.” These patients usually do not need surgery. Treatment in these cases is typically rest and protection of the fracture with a splint for a few weeks. Sometimes “buddy-taping” to the uninjured, neighboring finger can be used in stable fractures. Follow-up x-rays are obtained to see how the fracture is healing, and to evaluate for displacement.

Can displaced fractures be re-aligned?

Some displaced fractures can be re-aligned without surgery, called “closed reduction”, and these patients can also be treated non-operatively. This procedure can be done in the office using numbing medicine (lidocaine) in many cases. Hand therapy is often helpful in improving range of motion and strength after the fracture heals.

How do doctors diagnose a broken finger?

X-ray is the primary tool used to diagnose a broken finger. The doctor will need an X-ray to evaluate the position of the broken finger bones.

How common are broken fingers?

Fingers are easily injured, and broken fingers are some of the most common traumatic injuries seen in an emergency room . Fractures of the finger bones (phalanxes) and the bones in the palm of the hand (metacarpal bones) are the most common fractures, accounting for 10% of all fractures. Because fingers are used for many everyday activities, they are at higher risk than other parts of the body for traumatic injury, including sports injuries, workplace injuries, and other accidents.

What are the symptoms of a broken finger? How will I know if it's broken?

The main symptoms of a broken finger are pain immediately after the trauma, and sometimes a deformed finger.

What is the treatment for a broken finger?

Broken fingers should be treated by medical professionals; however, a person can minimize some pain and stabilize the injury on the way to seek medical treatment.

What are the complications of a broken finger?

After reduction, immobilization, and four to six weeks of healing, the prognosis for healing is excellent for a broken finger.

How can a broken finger be prevented?

Most fingers are broken from machines, self-inflicted trauma (punching something), or sporting injuries. Always use safety equipment when doing activities that may injure the hands. Injuries should be evaluated as soon possible.

Why do my fingers break?

Trauma is the main cause of broken fingers it occurs from playing sports, a workplace injury, punching something, falls, or in other accidents. Broken fingers usually diagnosed with an X-ray. Treatment of broken fingers depends on the type of fracture and the particular bone in the finger that is injured.

What does it mean when your finger is fractured?

A fractured finger greatly reduces the capacity to engage in any action involving the hands. Efforts that need gripping, holding onto an object, or lifting items off a surface could prove challenging and, in some cases, impossible.

What is the first step in a fracture diagnosis?

The first stage of the diagnostic process will involve a physician performing a visual examination and requesting that you perform certain movement tests. Your doctor might use imaging devices like X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and assess how serious the fracture is.

Why is the hardware placed inside the fractured bone removed?

Those materials may be left inside the affected bone to ensure proper healing and to prevent bone shifting.

How long does it take for a finger to be immobilized?

Following the procedure, the patient’s finger is typically immobilized anywhere from four to six weeks.

How long do you wear a support device?

Individuals heal at their own pace. Establishing recovery time frames often proves challenging. On average, supporting devices are worn for roughly three weeks.

How many bones are in the palm?

The fingers are made up of 14 bones scientifically called phalanges. Additionally, the palm contains five bones that attach to the phalanges, which are called metacarpals.

Can a physician reposition a finger?

Physicians can usually reposition mild to moderate finger fractures. After completing this process, the physician will likely place the injured finger inside a supporting device such as a splint or cast. This will ensure the finger remains in a fixed position, promoting healing and reducing the risk of encountering further damages.

Why is my finger fracturing?

Without proper treatment, the fractured finger might remain painful and stiff. Most of the time, a fractured finger is caused from an injury to the hand. You can fracture your finger from slamming the fingers into the door or putting your hands out to save you from falling.

How long does a splint stay on your finger?

Most of the time, a splint on the finger that is fractured will remain in place for about three to four weeks. You might have to get additional x-rays throughout the healing process so the doctor can monitor the progress of the finger in the healing phase. Surgical Treatment.

How many bones are there in the hand?

Within the hand, there are 27 bones. Eight bones are within the carpals of your wrist. The palm of the hand contains five bones known as the metacarpals. The 14 bones within the fingers are known as the phalanges. Fractures to the bones leading to your little fingers account for about a third of the fractures for adult hands.

What are the functions of the bones in your hand?

The bones in a normal hand are lined up with precision. They allow you to perform a number of specialized functions , such as manipulating small objects in your palm or grasping a pen. Once a finger bone is fractured, it can gain a position out of alignment.

Can a fractured finger cause complications?

Finger Fracture. Although a fractured finger is a fairly minor injury, without the proper treatment, fractured fingers can cause a number of complications.

Can a therapist help with fractured bones?

A therapist can help assist you in performing these exercises. It is important that the fractured bone is detected, as well as how the bone was broken, to make sure it gets corrected properly. Bones can break straight across the bone, into multiple pieces, shatter entirely or break in a spiral.

What is a fractured finger called?

fracture is the same as a break in the bone. Your fingers are made upseveral small bones and each of these is called a ‘phalanx’ . You have fractured a phalanx in one or more of your fingers. This is a common fracture.

How to get rid of stiffness in finger?

You should try to do these exercises three to four times a day; you will be given advice on when to start them. Exercise in warm water significantly helps to increase your movement and decrease pain and stiffness in the finger and hand.

How Is A Broken Finger Diagnosed?

Dr. Nance will take an X-ray of the affected hand to look for breaks in the bone or for dislocation of the joints. Prompt diagnosis will help determine if the fracture requires splinting, therapy, or surgery.

What Are The Possible Treatments For A Fractured Finger?

Fingertip crush injuries are a very common reason to visit the emergency room. Fingertips are often caught in doors or slammed by windows. Fingertip injuries can range from bruising to nail bed lacerations to fractured bones to amputations. Dr. Nance will often address these injuries immediately at a hospital emergency room. If you are evaluated at an outside ER it is still important to have close follow up with Dr. Nance to check for additional injuries and make sure there is no infection.