What are the steps to properly buddy tape a broken pinky toe. How long should you keep a broken pinky toe taped. What supplies do you need to buddy tape a toe. When should you seek medical attention for a broken pinky toe.

Understanding Broken Pinky Toes: Causes and Symptoms

A broken pinky toe, also known as a fractured fifth toe, is a common injury that can occur from stubbing your toe, dropping something heavy on it, or through repetitive stress. While often painful, most broken pinky toes can be treated at home with proper care and immobilization techniques like buddy taping.

Common symptoms of a broken pinky toe include:

• Pain and swelling
• Bruising or discoloration
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight
• A crooked or misaligned appearance
• Stiffness or limited range of motion

Do broken pinky toes always require medical attention? In many cases, a broken pinky toe can be safely treated at home, especially if it’s a simple, stable fracture. However, you should seek medical care if you experience severe pain, significant swelling, or if the toe appears severely misaligned.

The Buddy Taping Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide

Buddy taping is an effective method for stabilizing and protecting a broken pinky toe during the healing process. This technique involves taping the injured toe to its neighboring toe for support. Here’s a detailed guide on how to properly buddy tape a broken pinky toe:

1. Clean and dry the affected area thoroughly.
2. Place a small piece of cotton or gauze between the pinky toe and the fourth toe to prevent skin irritation.
3. Starting with the pinky toe, wrap a piece of medical tape or self-adhesive bandage around both toes together.
4. Ensure the tape is snug but not too tight to avoid restricting blood flow.
5. Wrap the tape around both toes at least three times for adequate support.
6. Check circulation by gently pressing the tip of the taped toes – they should return to their normal color quickly.

Is it necessary to tape all three smaller toes together? While some medical professionals recommend taping the pinky toe to both the fourth and third toes for added stability, this isn’t always required. For most simple fractures, taping the pinky to the fourth toe is sufficient.

Essential Supplies for Buddy Taping a Broken Toe

To properly buddy tape a broken pinky toe, you’ll need the following supplies:

• Medical tape or self-adhesive bandage (1.25 to 2.5 cm wide)
• Cotton balls or gauze for padding
• Scissors
• Antiseptic wipes or soap and water for cleaning

Are there any specialized toe splints available for this purpose? Yes, there are commercially available toe splints designed specifically for buddy taping. These can be a convenient alternative to traditional tape, especially for those who may have difficulty applying tape properly.

Proper Footwear and Additional Support for Broken Toes

Choosing the right footwear is crucial when dealing with a broken pinky toe. The ideal shoe should provide protection and minimize movement of the injured toe.

Recommended footwear options include:

• Postoperative surgical sandals
• Stiff-soled shoes
• Lightweight hiking boots (for outdoor activities)

Why are flip-flops and other open-toed shoes not recommended? These types of shoes offer little protection and can increase the risk of re-injury. They also don’t provide the necessary support to keep the toe immobilized during the healing process.

Using a Surgical Sandal for Added Protection

A postoperative surgical sandal can be an excellent option for protecting a broken pinky toe. These sandals have a flat, rigid sole that prevents bending of the foot, which helps immobilize the injured toe. They also typically feature adjustable straps, allowing for accommodation of any swelling.

The Healing Process: What to Expect and How to Care for Your Taped Toe

The healing time for a broken pinky toe can vary, but it typically takes about 4-6 weeks for the bone to heal completely. During this time, it’s essential to follow proper care instructions to ensure optimal healing.

Key aspects of caring for a taped broken toe include:

• Regularly checking for signs of infection or poor circulation
• Keeping the area clean and dry
• Replacing the tape every few days or when it becomes loose or dirty
• Elevating the foot when possible to reduce swelling
• Applying ice for 15-20 minutes at a time to manage pain and swelling

How often should you change the buddy tape? It’s generally recommended to change the tape every 3-5 days, or sooner if it becomes wet, dirty, or loose. This allows you to inspect the toe for any signs of complications and ensure proper alignment is maintained.

Pain Management and Comfort Measures for Broken Toes

Managing pain is an important aspect of recovering from a broken pinky toe. While the pain typically subsides significantly within the first few days, some discomfort may persist for several weeks.

Effective pain management strategies include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Ice therapy to reduce swelling and numb pain
• Elevation of the affected foot
• Gentle toe exercises as recommended by a healthcare provider

Can you take a bath or shower with a buddy-taped toe? While it’s best to keep the taped area dry, you can cover it with a waterproof bandage or plastic bag when bathing. If the tape does get wet, be sure to dry it thoroughly and replace it if necessary.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Broken Pinky Toe

While many broken pinky toes can be treated at home, there are situations where medical attention is necessary. It’s important to recognize these signs to ensure proper healing and prevent complications.

Seek medical care if you experience:

• Severe pain that doesn’t improve with home treatment
• Signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, or discharge
• Numbness or tingling in the toe
• Significant swelling that doesn’t subside
• Visible deformity or misalignment of the toe

How can you tell if a broken toe is healing properly? As the toe heals, you should notice a gradual decrease in pain and swelling. You should also regain more mobility in the toe over time. If you’re unsure about the healing process or have concerns, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Preventing Future Toe Injuries: Tips and Best Practices

While accidents can happen, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of toe injuries in the future. Implementing these preventive measures can help protect your toes from potential harm.

Effective strategies for preventing toe injuries include:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes with adequate toe room
• Using protective footwear in high-risk environments
• Keeping living spaces clear of clutter and potential tripping hazards
• Being mindful of your surroundings, especially when walking barefoot
• Strengthening foot and toe muscles through exercises

Are there specific exercises that can help strengthen toes and prevent injuries? Yes, simple exercises like toe curls, toe spreads, and marble pickups can help improve toe strength and flexibility, potentially reducing the risk of future injuries.

The Importance of Proper Footwear

Choosing the right shoes is crucial for toe health and injury prevention. Look for shoes that provide adequate support, have a wide toe box, and are appropriate for your activities. Avoid shoes that are too tight or compress your toes, as these can increase the risk of injuries and other foot problems.

By following these guidelines and taking proper care of your feet, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a broken pinky toe or other toe injuries in the future. Remember, if you do suspect a broken toe, prompt and proper treatment is key to ensuring a smooth recovery and preventing long-term complications.

How To Treat A Broken Pinky Toe Before Hiking or Camping

What Causes A Broken Pinky Toe

When your frantically getting ready for a camping trip, you catch your fifth toe on an object in the house. You may even hear a crack. Now you’ve got a painful fifth toe with a possible fracture.

Symptoms and Evaluation of a Possible Broken Pinky Toe

I frequently have this type of patient come into my office. Their toe is swollen, black and blue, and x-rays show it’s fractured. The first thing I determine is whether it’s stable. Let’s assume the fracture is stable. The toe alignment is good, but the toe is painful. And of course, you’re getting ready to head out for a weekend of summer fun. Given our short summers in Seattle, you definitely want to take advantage of this. But what do you do to be safe?

Treatment of a Broken Pinky Toe

The first thing I do is tape the fifth toe to the fourth toe, and possibly even the third. Now we’re gonna wrap a fifth toe to help treat a toe fracture. We’re starting with the use of fairly small, self-stick material. This happens to be called CoFlex. The common one available is also called Coban, C-O-B-A-N. Start with the fifth toe. This kind of wrapping is called a buddy splint because we’re gonna go around the injured toe, in this case the fifth toe, and then connect it to its buddy, the fourth. I often also add in the third toe. Now we’ve stabilized the fifth toe.

Second, I assess how much activity you’re going to encounter on your trip. And we want to try to immobilize the toe beyond just taping. One of the simplest things to use is called a postoperative surgical sandal. It’s just a flat sandal with Velcro that does not bend. This is the key. You have to leave the toe alone. Well, how do you know you’re leaving it alone? Well, if you have normal sensation, the best way to know you’re leaving alone is to have minimal pain. So if you splint the three toes together, you put it in a surgical sandal, and you’re just around the campfire and not on a trail too much, this may be all you need to do for at least part of the time.

Third, if you plan to be more active, you cannot be in flip flops. You need to use a shoe or a boot that will stop your leg from moving over the foot and minimize the force on those toes. That could be as little as a tennis shoe. But what I like to recommend in the situation just described, out camping and wanting to be on a trail a little bit, is a lightweight hiking shoe. Preferably that comes above the ankle and where the sole has minimal bending. But if you don’t own a pair, you should go out and get a pair.

So bottom line, injury to fifth toes is very common. Immobilization of the toe with buddy splinting is necessary. And wearing something to protect the toe and stop the bending is crucial.

Need Relief From A Broken Pinky Toe in Seattle, Washington? Request an Appointment Now

Don’t let a broken pinky toe cause you to miss out on the activities you enjoy. Complete the contact form on this page or call our office at 206-368-7000 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Berg.

Most new patients are seen within 1-2 week’s time. During your initial visit, Dr. Berg will spend up to 30 minutes getting to know you, your podiatry complaints, and your goals so that he can recommend the treatment best meets your needs. Don’t wait—contact us today.

North Seattle Foot & Ankle Specialist Dr. Rion Berg offers compassionate podiatry care for all foot and ankle problems to those living in Seattle Washington and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 206-368-7000 for an immediate appointment or request an appointment online.

by Dr. Rion Berg

A podiatrist in North Seattle treating families for over 40 years.

How To Buddy-Tape Toes – Injuries; Poisoning

By

James Y. McCue

, MD, University of California San Francisco – Fresno

Reviewed/Revised Apr 2021 | Modified Sep 2022

View Patient Education

Buddy-taping a toe dynamically splints an injured toe to an adjacent, normal toe.

In buddy-taping, a digit that requires immobilization (eg, because of injury or deformity) is attached to an adjacent, unaffected digit, helping to provide alignment and some support and protection.

• Toe sprain, dislocation, or fracture

• Structural toe disorders (eg, hallux limitus)

Absolute contraindications

• Open fracture

Relative contraindications

• Cotton or gauze for padding

• Adhesive tape 1.25 to 2.5 cm (½ to 1 inch)

• Sometimes commercially available toe splint

• Give the patient adequate analgesia.

• Insert cotton padding or gauze between the toes being splinted to prevent skin maceration between the toes.

• Apply tape around both toes to bind the injured toe against the uninjured toe.

• Check distal sensation and capillary refill.

• Supply or prescribe a shoe with a rigid sole (postoperative shoe) to facilitate weight-bearing and ambulation as appropriate.

• Consider crutches if weight-bearing causes significant pain.

• Arrange or recommend appropriate follow-up.

• Have the patient keep the dressing dry to avoid skin breakdown and change the dressing if it becomes wet.

• Have the patient elevate the injured limb above the heart while seated or at rest.

• Have the patient change the tape and gauze every 2 days.

• Tell the patient to apply ice PRICE A fracture is a break in a bone. Most fractures result from a single, significant force applied to normal bone. In addition to fractures, musculoskeletal injuries include Joint dislocations… read more as needed.

NOTE:


This is the Professional Version.


CONSUMERS:



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How to Fix a Broken Little Toe: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

Broken toes are a common injury, especially the little toe (the smallest fifth toe) which is more vulnerable to injury and crushing. While a cast or splint is often required for proper healing of big toe fractures, dealing with a broken little toe often involves a taping technique called “buddy taping” that can be done at home. However, if the broken little finger is really crooked, flattened, or if the bone has pierced the skin, emergency medical attention is required.

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Steps

Part one of 2: Taping a broken toe

1. one Determine if the tape fits. Most toe fractures, including the little toe, are caused by stress or hairline fractures, which are tiny cracks in the surface of the bone. Stress fractures are often quite painful and include swelling and/or bruising in the forefoot area, but they do not make the bones look twisted, crushed, mangled, or protruding from the skin. Therefore, simple fractures caused by stress or along the hairline should be fixed, although more complex fractures require other medical procedures such as surgery, a cast, or a splint.

   • See your doctor for an X-ray of your foot if the pain does not improve significantly within a few days. Stress fractures can be difficult to see on an x-ray if there is a lot of swelling.
   • If swelling is severe, your doctor may recommend a bone scan to look for a stress fracture.
   • Stress fractures of the little finger can result from exercise (eg, a lot of jogging or aerobics), poor gym technique, injury from being kicked or dropped by something heavy, and severely sprained ankles.

2. 2 Wash your feet and toes. Whenever you are dealing with an injury to the body with some type of support tape, it is best to clear the area first. Cleaning the area will remove bacteria and other micro-organisms that could potentially cause infection (such as fungus), as well as any dirt and debris that might prevent the tape from sticking to your toes. Normal soap and warm water are usually sufficient for washing feet and toes.

   • If you really want to disinfect your toes/feet and remove most of the natural oils, use an alcohol based disinfectant gel or lotion.
   • Be sure to completely dry your toes and the spaces between them before using gauze or tape.

3. 3 Place gauze or felt between your toes. Once you have determined that your little toe is broken but not too bad, then the first step of buddy tape is to put some gauze, felt, or cotton between your little toe and the toe next to it (called the 4th toe). ). This will prevent skin irritation and possible blistering as the two side toes are taped together. Preventing skin irritation/blistering reduces the risk of infection.

   • Use sterile gauze, felt or cotton balls between the 4th and 5th toes to keep them from falling out before securing them with tape.
   • If your skin is sensitive to medical tape (possibly irritated and itchy from the adhesive), wrap the gauze completely around the 4th and 5th toes and cover as much of the skin as possible before applying the patch.

4. 4 Tie pinky and 4th toes together. After placing sterile gauze, felt or cotton between your toes, loosely fasten the 4th and 5th toes with medical or surgical tape intended for application to the body. This is the buddy tape method as you are essentially using your 4th finger as a splint to support, stabilize and protect your broken little finger. Tape from the base of the fingers to about 1/4 inch from the top of the fingers. Wrap the tape twice in two separate strips so it doesn’t get too tight.

   • A film that is too tight will cut off circulation and give the tips of your toes a purplish blue color. Your toes will also feel numb or tingly if you wrap the tape too tight.
   • Decreased circulation to the toes also slows down the healing process, so be sure to tie the toes together tightly but loosely enough to allow blood to flow normally.
   • If you don’t have medical or surgical tape (available at regular pharmacies), electrical tape, electrician’s tape or small (narrow) velcro tape will also work.
   • Most simple (stress) toe fractures take about 4 weeks to heal properly, so plan on taping most of that time.

5. 5 Change tape and gauze daily. Buddy tying your toes together to support and speed healing is an ongoing process, not a one-time procedure. If you shower or bathe every day, you should re-tape your toes every day because damp gauze or felt is less effective at preventing blistering, and water will begin to dissolve the adhesive on the tape. Thus, remove the old tape and gauze after bathing and use dry gauze or cotton and fresh tape when your feet are clean and dry.

   • If you bathe every other day, you can wait another day to re-glue your toes, unless your feet get wet for some other reason, such as rain or flooding.
   • The use of waterproof medical/surgical tape may reduce the frequent need for re-tape, but every time the gauze/wadding between the toes gets wet (or even wet) you must re-tape it.
   • Remember not to use too much tape (even if it is loose) because you will not be able to place your foot in the shoe correctly. Too much tape also causes overheating and sweating.

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Part 2 of 2: Using Other Home Care Methods for Broken Toes

1. one Use ice or cold therapy. Before you see a doctor to confirm a stress fracture in your little toe, you should apply ice or some form of cold therapy to any musculoskeletal injury to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Use crushed ice wrapped in a thin towel (to prevent frostbite) or a bag of frozen gel on the forefoot. Small bags of frozen vegetables also work well.

   • Apply ice or cold therapy for no more than 20 minutes at a time on the lateral (outer) part of the foot. Use cold therapy 3-5 times a day for the first few days after injury.
   • Wrap an ice pack or gel pack around the forefoot with an elastic bandage for best results as compression also helps reduce swelling.

2. 2 Raise your leg to reduce inflammation. When you apply ice to the lateral surface of the forefoot to combat swelling, it’s also a good idea to keep your foot elevated. Elevating the foot reduces blood flow, which helps minimize inflammation in an injury. If possible, support your leg (before, during, and after icing) so that it is above your heart level for best results.

   • If you are on the couch, use a footstool or some pillows to keep your leg/foot above heart level.
   • Lying in bed, use a pillow, folded blanket, or foam roll to prop your leg up a few extra inches.
   • Always try to lift both feet at the same time so as not to cause pain or irritation in the hips, pelvis and/or lower back.

3. 3 Reduce walking, running and other activities. Another important element of home care for a broken toe is rest and relaxation. In fact, rest with weight off the foot is the primary treatment and recommendation for all foot stress fractures. Therefore, avoid the activity that caused the injury and all other resistance exercises (walking, hiking, jogging) that put more stress on the side of the foot for 3-4 weeks.

   • Cycling can still be a good option for exercise and fitness if you can get the pedal closer to the healing area and away from your toes.
   • Swimming is an unloaded exercise suitable for a broken toe after the swelling and pain subside. Don’t forget to rewind your toes afterwards.

4. 4 Take over-the-counter medicines for a short time. Breaking a toe, even if it’s just stress or a hairline fracture, is painful, and pain relief is an important part of the healing process. So, in addition to using cold therapy to relieve pain, consider taking over-the-counter medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or pain relievers such as paracetamol (Tylenol). To minimize the chance of side effects such as stomach irritation, take these medicines for less than 2 weeks daily. For most simple fractures, 3-5 days of medication is sufficient.

   • NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Alev, Naprosyn), and aspirin (Excedrin). NSAIDs are better for broken bones because they suppress swelling, while painkillers do not. However, NSAIDs such as naproxen can slow bone healing, so they should be used with caution.
   • Aspirin should not be given to children while ibuprofen should not be given to infants – stick with paracetamol if your child needs pain relief.

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Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Q: Can I sleep with a recorded tape? Yes, but it becomes ineffective after a while, especially if you tend to sweat in your sleep.
• Question How do I know if I have broken my toe? If it swells up and turns blue or purple and causes a lot of pain, then you broke it.
• Question: How long should I wrap a broken toe? You should wrap it up until it stops hurting.
• Question: The doctor says that if I don’t bandage my broken toe properly, I may need ORIF. What should I do? Brian Salazar-Prince Top Answered ORIF – Open Cut and Internal Fixation; Basically, they cut you open, break the bone again, straighten it, and screw or hammer it into place so it can heal properly. If your doctor is willing to wrap the injury for you, I would suggest that you allow him/her to do so to minimize the risk of having to undergo another procedure.
• Question: Can you have a fever if you break your little toe? Brian Salazar-Prince Most popular answerer. When you break a bone, there is usually localized pain with swelling and inflammation. You may find that the area around the injury is warm to the touch, but I wouldn’t expect a broken toe to cause a fever.
• Question Can I cook if my toe is broken? Brian Salazar-Prince Top Answerer Walking with a broken toe is usually normal if you have a splint.
• Q: What should I do if my little finger is too swollen and sore to have gauze between it for a friend to tape over? It’s been 24 hours and it’s still black and blue and it hurts too much to separate the toes. Leave it on and pick it up until the swelling subsides. If this does not happen after a few days, consult a doctor; you may have more than one broken bone.

Unanswered questions

• My toe is purplish blue and has a lump on it. He also became numb after the incident, it’s my little finger and I’m afraid my mom isn’t going to do enough for it. Is it broken and should I see a doctor? Answer

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tips

• Do not tape a broken toe if you have severe diabetes or a problem with peripheral arteries because any reduction in blood flow due to taping may increase the risk of necrosis or tissue death.
• If you go to the doctor for an x-ray to confirm a stress fracture in your little toe, he will likely show you how to tie your toes together before you leave the office.
• While you’re tightening and recovering from a broken little toe, wide-leg shoes with stiff soles for more room and protection. Avoid sandals and sneakers for at least 4 weeks.
• When symptoms go away after about a week, your doctor may want to take another X-ray to see how the bone is healing.
• Uncomplicated bone fractures heal within 4-6 weeks, depending on the person’s health and age.
• After the pain and swelling have subsided (1-2 weeks), gradually increase the amount of exercise you do by getting up and walking a little more each day.

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Broken finger | Fractures of the nail phalanges, little fingers, displacement of fragments

Finger fracture is a common injury. As a rule, it happens with direct trauma. In rare cases, it is formed due to indirect effects. Most often, people get a fracture in a domestic, industrial or sports injury.

It is not uncommon for patients to break their fingers while working with woodworking machines or performing other professional duties. Sometimes multiple fractures occur, which are combined with dislocations, damage to ligaments and tendons. Traumatologists treat finger fractures.

Anatomy of the hand

The human hand is quite complex. It consists of 30-32 bones of different shapes and works with the help of muscle tissue and tendons, which are arranged in layers. The complex organization of the hand makes it possible to make movements around all three axes.

Fingers are topographically related to the hand, therefore they greatly increase its functional load. The human skeleton can only move in one plane. The range of motion will not exceed 180 degrees. Thanks to the articulation with the hand, the fingers can make not only adducting, but also retracting movements.

Causes of injury

Most often, a finger fracture occurs in people who are constantly involved in sports. As a rule, injuries occur in gymnasts, boxers, basketball and volleyball players. Fighters can’t always be saved by gloves during a fight. Quite often, a finger fracture occurs in young children and older people who suffer from osteoporosis.

Employees who work in production receive injuries. However, most people injure their fingers at home. A fracture is a fairly severe injury that requires constant care. Do not self-medicate, as this can end badly and have long-term health consequences. A severe injury requires surgical treatment. The recovery period for such fractures is quite long.

Pathoanatomy

There are about 14 bones of the phalanges of the fingers in the human upper limb. Fingers 2 through 5 have three phalanges: proximal, middle, and distal. The first finger has only two phalanges, which are called proximal and distal. The fingers make various subtle and intricately coordinated movements. This can lead to the fact that any injury can adversely affect the work of the hand and lead to a strong decrease in working capacity.

If a person does not seek help when a finger is broken, or if the fracture is treated incorrectly, they will face serious problems. There may be a decrease in hand grip function. Quite often, after improper treatment of a broken finger, pain remains even with minor loads on the hand.

There are also 14 phalanges of fingers in the lower limb of a person – three phalanges at the second to fifth fingers and two phalanges at the first finger. If a person damages the nail and middle phalanx, he can heal the injury without any problems. In the future, there will be no violation of the function of the foot. When a fracture of the main phalanges occurs, serious consequences can be faced. For example, improper fusion will lead to constant pain when walking or running.

Classification of fractures

There are many types of finger fractures that differ from each other. It happens that one phalanx is injured. Sometimes there are multiple fractures of several fingers at once. It is easy enough to determine a fracture, but only a doctor should do this.

Types of fractures:

1. Open and closed. It is hard enough to understand that a person has a closed fracture of the finger, without the help of a doctor. An open fracture is easy to see, as it is almost always accompanied by bleeding. When an open fracture occurs, there is a violation of the integrity of the bone and skin. Closed fractures are not only complete, but also incomplete with cracks.
2. With or without offset. It is very difficult to treat displaced fractures, as the bone is highly fragmented and has a large number of different fragments. According to certain signs, it can be understood that a person has a fracture with a displacement. For example, there is a shortening of the deformed area of ​​the finger. A person cannot move his fingers and experiences severe pain.
3. Marginal fracture. Such damage can be obtained in various ways. With a fracture of the little fingers, a partial or complete destruction of the phalanx occurs. Such an injury can occur due to a strong blow, a heavy object falling on the arm or leg. Quite often, patients receive a marginal fracture due to various pathologies. For example, an injury may occur against the background of a disease that causes brittle bones. Marginal fractures are major, nail, medium and combined.
4. Broken index finger. If a person has broken his index finger, he should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will be able to quickly put the dislocated bone in place. If a person has a dislocation, a specialist will be able to put a cast or splint on the damaged area. The doctor will definitely prescribe medications to reduce pain. Most often, a fracture of the index finger is not dangerous if you immediately seek help from a doctor.
5. Fracture of the thumb on the hand. Such an injury often occurs due to a strong blow. During treatment, some difficulties may occur due to the special arrangement of the bones. A broken finger should be corrected by a doctor. For this, various devices that have a tensile effect will be used. When the injured finger stretches, the doctor will apply a cast. The plaster bandage will allow the finger to take a certain position. The bones will be immobilized until the treatment is complete.

Do not self-medicate as this can lead to serious problems. It is best to consult a doctor immediately so that he can make the correct diagnosis. The traumatologist will refer the patient for an x-ray. This will allow the specialist to understand whether there is a fracture of the finger or not.

Symptoms of a finger fracture

The very first and main symptom of a finger fracture is a sharp, unbearable pain. The intensity of the pain syndrome will depend on the severity of the injury. After the pain, there is severe swelling or bruising. This reaction is natural when a person is injured.

Other symptoms of a broken finger:

• sharp and severe pain that begins to increase with movement;
• the finger turns blue and gradually swells due to the fact that there is an internal hemorrhage;
• the damaged area is deformed;
• finger may be shortened;
• strange mobility of the phalanx, which was not there before the injury;
• fails to fully clench the hand into a fist or fully open the hand;
• a hematoma forms under the nails, which leads to severe pain;
• when you move your finger, an uncharacteristic crunch appears.

If a person has an open fracture of a finger, he will experience pain shock and bleeding. Do not try to set the bone yourself, as this can lead to serious consequences. This should only be done by an experienced traumatologist or surgeon in a hospital.

First aid for a broken finger

First aid must be provided to the victim if a finger fracture is suspected. All activities must be properly done to alleviate the patient’s condition. It will be necessary to remove the pain syndrome, immobilize the limb and overcome complications.

When do you need to call an ambulance?

Most people think that it is not necessary to call an ambulance for a broken finger and see a doctor. Unfortunately, people are wrong. It is imperative to call an ambulance for many reasons. For example, the pain of a broken finger can be so severe that it doesn’t even compare to a toothache.

Pain causes a state of shock, which is manifested by a sharp drop in blood pressure. In some cases, blood pressure may drop to zero. In order to remove the pain, the ambulance team has various drugs.

Quite often, a fracture can be accompanied by a severe deformity of the finger. There may be scratches or abrasions on the skin. The ambulance doctor will be able not only to clean and wash the wound, but also to apply a product to immobilize the fracture.

Fragments of a broken bone may puncture a digital artery or vein. Then there is heavy bleeding, which is not so easy to stop. Experienced paramedics will be able to apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Without experience, it is quite difficult to stop heavy bleeding, so it is better to call the doctors right away.

How to hold a hand in case of a fracture?

It is impossible to say in what position the hand should be held when a finger is broken. The most important thing is to ensure the immobility of the limb and the broken joint. The hand should be relaxed. If a person does not change the position of the finger, the pain syndrome will remain at an average level.

You can use a kerchief bandage or an impromptu splint. This is done in order to reduce the mobility of the upper limb. It is advisable to ensure that your fingers do not touch different surfaces. You can pull the shoulder and forearm to the body with a special bandage. This will help to immobilize the upper limb and secure the injured finger.

Do I need to take pain medication?

Pain syndrome can lead to the development of inflammation in damaged tissues. The inflammatory process can increase pain. It is recommended to take painkillers or anti-inflammatory medicines immediately after injury. You will need to take one tablet at a time and wait for the medicine to take effect. Do not use too many drugs, otherwise an overdose may occur, which is life-threatening.

Should immobilization be carried out?

Immobilization is recommended to temporarily immobilize the limb. This will help prevent increased pain and complications. Transport immobilization is done, since during transportation there is a high risk of secondary damage to a broken finger.

You will need to fix the arm in the position where the person will feel the least pain. It should relax the muscles of the hand, then the pain syndrome should become less intense. In order to reduce the risk of re-injury, it is recommended to immobilize the entire upper limb and press it against the trunk.

Should I apply cold to an injured finger?

People always use cold to cool their tissues. You can safely combine ice with medicines. You need to break pieces of ice and put in a waterproof bag or heating pad. Cold can quickly anesthetize the fracture site. It will become much easier for a person, as the pain will begin to go away. It should be remembered that very low temperatures can lead to frostbite. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to remove the bag from the injured finger every 5–8 minutes for several minutes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis must be carried out by a traumatologist. When a person injures a hand, an X-ray of the fingers is taken. The picture is taken in two projections, and adjacent joints are necessarily captured. In order to understand the nature of the damage to the leg, x-rays of the toes can be taken.

Treatment of a broken finger

Doctors treat broken fingers in a variety of ways. It all depends on the complexity of the damage and associated complications. Doctors always use the following traditional methods of treating a broken finger: one-stage closed reduction, skeletal traction techniques, open reduction.

Complications of self-treatment of broken fingers

Treat a broken finger only by a doctor. If you self-treat, this can lead to various complications. Some consequences can cause a person much more problems than the fracture itself.

There are the most common complications:

• large callus;
• occurrence of a false joint;
• appearance of contracture;
• ankylosis formation;
• osteomyelitis;
• malunion of bones.

It is not recommended to self-treat fractures if you do not want to face the above problems. If your finger is injured, you should visit the emergency room or call an ambulance.

Rehabilitation, prognosis and prevention

The duration of rehabilitation will depend only on the complexity and type of finger fracture. In a child and adolescent, the injury will heal much faster than in an elderly person. If bone fragments of an open fracture with displacement were fixed, recovery will take from three to four weeks. With multi-comminuted fractures, the rehabilitation period will increase by another 14 days.

Prevention should be to avoid injury. Ordinary fractures are fixed with a plaster cast for 2-3 weeks. Ability to work can be restored within 30 days. If unstable damage occurs, immobilization is carried out for 21 days. Recovery in this case will take 4-7 weeks.

When a ligament or tendon rupture occurs, the recovery period will be quite long. You will have to develop the tendons of the hand within 14 days. Full recovery time after surgery is 6-8 weeks. Some people have to have ligaments or tendons sutured.

What does recovery and rehabilitation include:

1. Diet. You will have to eat foods that contain a lot of protein and calcium.
2. Physiotherapy procedures.
3. Massage.
4. Gymnastics. It is recommended to do it in the last week of wearing a cast.
5. Squeezing a piece of plasticine with your fingers.

The healing process of a fracture depends on many factors. Treatment must be carried out by an experienced doctor.