What are the signs of a broken finger. How are finger fractures diagnosed. What treatment options are available for finger fractures. How long does it take for a broken finger to heal. Can finger fractures lead to complications if left untreated.

Understanding Finger Anatomy and Common Causes of Fractures

Finger fractures, while involving small bones, can significantly impact hand function and shouldn’t be taken lightly. To fully grasp the implications of these injuries, it’s crucial to understand the intricate anatomy of the hand and fingers.

Hand and Finger Anatomy

The human hand is a marvel of engineering, consisting of 27 bones:

• 8 carpal bones in the wrist
• 5 metacarpal bones in the palm
• 14 phalanges in the fingers

These bones are interconnected by various joints, including:

• Carpometacarpal (CMC) joints: connecting digits to the wrist
• Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints: where fingers connect to metacarpals
• Interphalangeal (IP) joints: within the fingers themselves

This complex arrangement allows for a wide range of motions, from precise grasping to forming a fist.

Common Causes of Finger Fractures

Finger fractures typically result from hand injuries. Some frequent causes include:

• Slamming fingers in doors
• Using hands to break a fall
• Jamming fingers while catching balls
• Accidents with power tools
• Striking hard objects

Do you know about “boxer’s fractures”? These are fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone, connecting the little finger to the hand. They account for about one-third of all hand fractures in adults and are often caused by punching forces.

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Finger

Recognizing the signs of a broken finger is crucial for seeking timely medical attention. The most common indicators include:

• Swelling at the fracture site
• Tenderness when touched
• Bruising around the affected area
• Limited mobility of the injured finger
• Visible deformity of the finger

Is it possible to move a broken finger? While some movement may be possible, a fractured finger often has limited range of motion and causes significant pain when moved.

Diagnosing Finger Fractures: Medical Examination and Imaging

When you suspect a finger fracture, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. The diagnostic process typically involves:

Medical History and Physical Examination

Your doctor will ask about the incident that caused the injury and perform a thorough examination of your hand. They will assess:

• Finger alignment when extending your hand or making a fist
• Any overlapping of fingers
• Abnormal angling of the injured finger
• Apparent shortening of the affected finger

Imaging Studies

X-rays are the primary diagnostic tool for finger fractures. They help determine:

• Which bone(s) are fractured
• The type of fracture (straight, spiral, comminuted, etc.)
• Whether the fracture extends into a joint (intraarticular fracture)
• If there’s an avulsion fracture (where a ligament or tendon pulls away a piece of bone)

In some cases, advanced imaging like CT scans may be necessary for a more detailed view of the fracture.

Assessing Associated Injuries

Can a broken finger affect other structures in the hand? Yes, it’s not uncommon for finger fractures to be accompanied by injuries to tendons, nerves, or ligaments. Your doctor will carefully evaluate for these associated injuries, as they may require additional treatment.

Treatment Options for Finger Fractures: Nonsurgical Approaches

The treatment of finger fractures aims to realign the broken bones and facilitate proper healing. Nonsurgical methods are often sufficient for many finger fractures.

Closed Reduction

For displaced fractures, where the bone pieces are not aligned correctly, your doctor may perform a closed reduction. This procedure involves:

• Manipulating the broken bone back into proper alignment without surgery
• Using local anesthesia to minimize discomfort during the procedure

Immobilization

After reduction, the fractured finger needs to be immobilized to ensure proper healing. This typically involves:

• Applying a splint or cast to hold the finger straight and protect it from further injury
• Sometimes splinting adjacent fingers for additional support
• Wearing the splint for approximately 3 weeks, though this may vary based on the specific fracture

Follow-up Care

During the healing process, your doctor will:

• Schedule follow-up X-rays to monitor the fracture’s progress
• Adjust treatment if necessary based on these images
• Recommend physical therapy to restore motion and strength after the splint is removed

How long does it take for a broken finger to heal with nonsurgical treatment? While healing times can vary, most finger fractures treated nonsurgically heal within 3-6 weeks.

Surgical Interventions for Complex Finger Fractures

In some cases, finger fractures may require surgical intervention to ensure proper alignment and healing.

Indications for Surgery

Surgery may be necessary for finger fractures that are:

• Severely displaced or unstable
• Open fractures (where the bone has broken through the skin)
• Intra-articular fractures that significantly disrupt joint surfaces
• Associated with severe soft tissue injuries

Surgical Techniques

Various surgical approaches may be employed, including:

• Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): Directly visualizing and realigning the fracture, then securing it with hardware
• Percutaneous pinning: Using small wires inserted through the skin to hold bone fragments in place
• External fixation: Applying an external frame to maintain alignment in complex fractures

Hardware Used in Finger Fracture Surgery

Surgeons may use various devices to stabilize finger fractures, such as:

• Pins: Thin, smooth wires that can be easily removed
• Screws: Provide compression and stability for certain fracture patterns
• Plates: Small metal devices that span the fracture site, secured with screws
• Wires: Used to provide additional support or tension

Do surgical implants for finger fractures need to be removed? This depends on the specific case. Some devices can remain in place permanently, while others may need removal after the fracture has healed.

Rehabilitation and Recovery After Finger Fracture Treatment

Proper rehabilitation is crucial for restoring function and preventing complications after a finger fracture.

Initial Recovery Period

During the first few weeks after treatment:

• Keep the injured hand elevated to reduce swelling
• Apply ice as directed by your doctor
• Take prescribed pain medications as needed
• Avoid using the injured finger for any activities

Physical Therapy

Once the fracture has sufficiently healed, physical therapy may be recommended to:

• Restore range of motion in the affected finger
• Strengthen the muscles of the hand and forearm
• Improve fine motor skills and dexterity
• Address any residual stiffness or pain

Gradual Return to Activities

Your doctor will guide you on when it’s safe to resume various activities. This typically involves:

• Starting with light, non-impact activities
• Gradually increasing the intensity and complexity of tasks
• Avoiding high-impact or contact activities until fully healed

How long does it take to regain full function after a finger fracture? While minor fractures may heal within weeks, more complex injuries can take several months for complete recovery and return to all activities.

Potential Complications and Long-Term Outcomes of Finger Fractures

While most finger fractures heal well with proper treatment, complications can occur, especially if left untreated or improperly managed.

Common Complications

Potential issues that may arise include:

• Stiffness: Limited range of motion due to prolonged immobilization
• Malunion: Improper alignment of the healed bone
• Nonunion: Failure of the bone to heal completely
• Post-traumatic arthritis: Degenerative changes in the affected joint
• Tendon adhesions: Scar tissue formation limiting tendon gliding

Preventing Complications

To minimize the risk of complications:

• Seek prompt medical attention for suspected finger fractures
• Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully during treatment
• Participate actively in rehabilitation exercises
• Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor healing progress

Long-Term Prognosis

Can a broken finger cause permanent damage? While most finger fractures heal without long-term consequences, some factors that may affect the prognosis include:

• Severity and location of the fracture
• Presence of associated soft tissue injuries
• Timeliness and appropriateness of treatment
• Patient compliance with treatment and rehabilitation protocols

With proper care and rehabilitation, many patients can expect to regain full or near-full function of their injured finger.

Prevention Strategies and Safety Measures to Avoid Finger Fractures

While accidents can happen, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of finger fractures in various settings.

Workplace Safety

In occupational settings, especially those involving manual labor or machinery:

• Wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves when necessary
• Use tools and equipment properly, following all safety guidelines
• Be aware of pinch points and crushing hazards
• Maintain a clean and organized workspace to reduce accident risks

Sports and Recreational Activities

When participating in sports or other physical activities:

• Use proper techniques when catching balls or handling equipment
• Wear appropriate protective gear for your sport (e.g., gloves, hand guards)
• Avoid overexertion and know your physical limits
• Be cautious when playing on uneven surfaces or in poor weather conditions

Home Safety

To prevent finger injuries at home:

• Be mindful of door hinges and heavy objects that could crush fingers
• Use caution when operating power tools or kitchen appliances
• Ensure adequate lighting in work areas to avoid accidents
• Keep walkways clear to prevent falls that could lead to hand injuries

How can you protect your hands during a fall? If you find yourself falling, try to land on the fleshy parts of your body (like your bottom or side) rather than outstretching your hands. However, this reaction often happens instinctively, so being aware of your surroundings and avoiding fall hazards is crucial.

By implementing these preventive measures and maintaining awareness of potential hazards, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a finger fracture. Remember, your hands are essential tools for daily life, and protecting them should be a priority in all your activities.

Finger Fractures – OrthoInfo – AAOS

Although the bones in the fingers are small, a broken (fractured) finger is not a minor injury.

The bones in a normal finger line up precisely. They let you perform many specialized functions, such as grasping a pen, playing an instrument, or typing on a computer. When you fracture a finger bone, it can cause dysfunction affecting your entire hand. Without appropriate treatment, your broken finger may end up misaligned, stiff, or painful.

Your hand consists of 27 bones:

• Eight bones in your wrist (carpals)
• Five bones in the palm of your hand (metacarpals)
• 14 bones in your fingers (phalanges)

These bones are connected by joints:

• The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is where a digit’s metacarpal connects to the wrist The thumb CMC joint allows for quite a bit of motion, enabling you to put your thumb in a variety of positions for grasping. There is some motion in the CMC joints of the little and ring fingers and very little motion in the CMC joints of the middle and index fingers.
• The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is where your finger connects to the matacarpal
• The interphalangeal (IP) joints are the joints within your fingers. Combined, the MCP and IP joints allow you to straighten your fingers and make a fist.

Illustration showing the anatomy of the hand.

Generally, a fractured finger occurs as the result of an injury to the hand. You can fracture a finger when:

• You slam your fingers in a door.
• You put out your hand to break a fall.
• Your finger jams while trying to catch a ball.
• You have an accident while working with a power saw, drill, or other tools.
• Your hand strikes a hard object. Fractures of the metacarpal bone that attaches your little finger to your hand, which account for about one-third of all hand fractures in adults, are typically caused by a punching force (these are known as “boxer’s fractures”).

(Left) Illustration and (Right) X-ray of a “boxer’s fracture” in the fifth metacarpal. This common hand fracture can cause the knuckle on the affected finger to appear sunken in or angulated.

Right: Reproduced from Johnson TR, Steinbach LS (eds): Essentials of Musculoskeletal Imaging. Rosemont, IL American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2004, p. 347.

• Swelling of the fracture site
• Tenderness at the fracture site
• Bruising at the fracture site
• Inability to move the injured finger completely
• Deformity of the injured 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(s) you fractured, but also how the bone(s) broke.

Bones can break in several ways:

• Straight across the bone
• In a spiral pattern
• Into several pieces
• Shattered completely

Illustration showing different types of finger fractures. (Left) With intraarticular fractures, the fracture extends into the joint. (Right) Avulsion fractures occur when a ligament or tendon and a small piece of the bone it is attached to pull away from the main bone.

Your doctor may want to see how your fingers line up when you extend your hand or make a fist. Does any finger overlap its neighbor? Does the injured finger angle in the wrong direction? Does the injured finger look too short?

Your doctor will obtain X-rays and sometimes advanced imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, to better understand the fracture and how it should be treated.

Your doctor will also look for injuries to other nearby structures. It is not uncommon for a finger that is fractured to also have injuries to tendons, nerves, and/or ligaments. These injuries may need to be treated along with the broken bone(s) to ensure a good outcome. 

Nonsurgical Treatment

For fractures that are displaced, or not lined up correctly:

• 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. 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.
• After the fracture heals, it will likely be stiff from not moving for several weeks. Therapy may be necessary to help get motion back in the finger.

Surgical Treatment

Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, you may need surgery to put the bones into alignment and keep them there while they heal.

• Small devices, such as pins, screws, plates, or wires, will be used to hold your fractured bones together. Sometimes, these devices can stay in for life, and sometimes they need to be removed after the fracture heals.
• Depending on the strength of the repair, you may be able to move the finger soon after surgery to avoid stiffness.

(Left) X-ray shows fractures in the phalanges of two fingers. (Right) In this X-ray, the fractures have been repaired with screws.

Reproduced from Kozin SH, Thoder JJ, Lieberman G: Operative Treatment of Metacarpal and Phalangeal Shaft Fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000; 8:111-121.

Fractures that involve the CMC, MCP, or IP joints are particularly worriesome and very often require surgery. When these fractures are not treated promptly and adequately, they can lead to substantial finger dysfunction and long-term consequences, such as arthritis.

Finger fractures requiring surgery often need therapy after the procedure to help prevent or correct stiffness.

You may begin using your hand again as soon as your doctor determines it is OK 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 hand therapist to assist you in these exercises.

Outcomes following the treatment of finger fractures vary:

• Some simple fractures are easily treated, and treatment results in excellent function.
• Some more catastrophic injuries (e.g., a gunshot to the finger) — in which multiple structures (such as tendons, nerves, and/or ligaments) are involved — result in stiff and poorly functioning fingers even with the best treatments. In some cases, a second or third surgery may be needed to remove hardware once the bone is healed or to free up tendons that have scarred to the fracture site.

 If you suspect you have a finger fracture, seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner a fracture is addressed by a doctor, the better the outcome will likely be.

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Think You Have a Broken Finger? What You Need to Know

Think You Have a Broken Finger? What You Need to Know

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Verneda Lights — Updated on July 30, 2019

Overview

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. A fracture can occur in any of the phalanges. Fractures can also occur in your knuckles, which are the joints where your finger bones meet.

Fingers have the highest risk of injury of all the parts of the hand. You can injure your finger while working with a tool, such as a hammer or a saw. Your finger can break when a fast-moving object hits your hand, such as a baseball. Slamming your hand in a door and putting your hands out to break a fall can also cause you to break your finger.

The nature of the injury and the strength of the bone determine whether a fracture occurs. Conditions such as osteoporosis and malnutrition increase your chances of breaking a finger.

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the number of combinations of types of hand fractures is infinite. The following terms describe how broken fingers are categorized:

Method of fracture

• In an avulsion fracture, a ligament or tendon and the piece of bone it attaches to pull away from the main bone.
• In an impacted fracture, the broken ends of a bone drive into each other.
• In a shear fracture, the bone splits in two when a force causes it to move in two different directions.

Skin involvement

• In an open fracture, the bone breaks through your skin and creates an open wound.
• In a closed fracture, the bone breaks but your skin remains intact.

Bone position

• In a nondisplaced fracture, or stable fracture, the bone cracks slightly or completely but doesn’t move.
• In a displaced fracture, the bone breaks into separate pieces that move and no longer line up.
• A comminuted fracture is a displaced fracture in which the bone breaks into three or more pieces.

People with weak bones, such as older adults or those with a calcium deficiency, have an increased risk of fracture. Also, people who work with their hands, such as athletes and manual laborers, have an increased risk of broken fingers. Sports that increase risk for broken fingers are:

• basketball
• baseball
• volleyball
• football
• hockey
• rugby
• boxing
• skiing
• wrestling
• snowboarding

High-impact events, such as automobile accidents, can also cause broken fingers.

The symptoms of a broken finger include the following:

• pain
• swelling
• tenderness
• limited range of motion

Your finger might also look misshapen or out of alignment (deformed). 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 medical attention.

Diagnosis of finger fracture begins with your doctor taking your medical history and doing a physical examination. X-rays of the finger will usually indicate whether your finger is fractured.

Treatment for 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.

If your fracture is unstable or displaced, your doctor may need to perform surgery. Surgery stabilizes the fracture when you have:

• multiple fractures
• loose bone fragments
• a joint injury
• damage to the ligaments or tendons
• unstable, displaced, or open fractures
• an impaction fracture

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.

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.

Last medically reviewed on August 22, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Finger fractures. (2013).
  orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00257
• Finger fractures. (n.d.).
  eatonhand.com/hw/hw010.htm
• Hand fractures. (n.d.).
  assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/HandFractures.aspx
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Broken wrist/broken hand.
  mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-wrist/basics/definition/con-20031382

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. — By Verneda Lights — Updated on July 30, 2019

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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.

Quite often, patients 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, finger fractures are caused by 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

In humans, there are about 14 bones of the phalanges of the fingers in the 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, he 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.

Fracture classification

There are many different types of finger fractures. 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 can 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 unclench 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 ice be applied 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 finger fractures

Finger fractures should only be treated 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. Physiotherapeutic 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. The patient is obliged to follow all his recommendations, otherwise it will not be possible to quickly recover from the fracture.

Q&A

Do I need a cast?

Doctors always apply a cast when a person has a broken finger. Reliable immobilization of the site of damage localization is mandatory.

How long should a cast be worn?

For simple fractures, the cast should be worn for 3-4 weeks. For complex open multi-comminuted fractures, a plaster cast is applied for 6 weeks.

What physiotherapy is indicated after a finger fracture?

Warm baths with baking soda and salt must be taken from the day the cast is removed. You will have to attend exercise therapy, application of ozocerite, mechanotherapy.

How to understand that a broken finger

20 June 2022

Likbez

Health

Focus on the symptoms, but don’t delay your visit to the doctor.

Iya Zorina

Author of Lifehacker, athlete, CCM

You can listen to a short version of the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

What can lead to a broken finger

The thumbs and toes have two phalanges, and all the others have three. Any of these bones can break. For example, from falling a heavy object, being pinched by a door, or hitting the edge of a nightstand. It is not necessary to drop a weight on your foot or hit your finger with a hammer – even an unsuccessful landing when jumping from a height can lead to a fracture.

The likelihood of breaking bones increases with certain diseases and bad habits. Among the increased risk factors:

• cancer;
• type 1 diabetes;
• celiac disease;
• Crohn’s disease;
• ulcerative colitis;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• osteoporosis;
• calcium deficiency;
• excessive consumption of alcohol;
• smoking;
• taking corticosteroids – anti-inflammatory drugs.

How to tell if a finger is broken

The most obvious sign that can indicate a fracture is severe and throbbing pain that increases with movement of the injured finger and does not subside with time.

Other common symptoms include:

• change in the shape of the finger or its position relative to others;
• hematoma, which may involve a broken toe, spread to others, and extend into the foot or hand;
• numbness;
• flexion problems;
• edema;
• if we are talking about the leg – the inability to transfer the weight of the body to the injured limb.

In this case, the person will not necessarily lose the ability to move the finger, and the resulting pain may seem tolerable. If the injured limb has not changed its position and shape, without radiography it will not be possible to distinguish a fracture from a severe bruise.

Therefore, if pain and swelling persist for 1-2 days, be sure to visit a traumatologist. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance that the bones will grow together correctly and there will be no problems with the mobility of the finger.

Do’s and don’ts before seeing a doctor

Before you see a traumatologist, immobilize your injured finger if possible. If the fracture is on the leg, take off your shoes, lie down and place the limb above the level of the head. This will ensure the outflow of blood and reduce pain and swelling.

An ice pack can also be applied for local anesthesia for 15-20 minutes. But keep in mind that this procedure only helps to relieve symptoms and does not promote healing. While waiting for a trip to the emergency room, you can also take an anesthetic pill.

If your toe is injured, do not go to the hospital on foot, as this may dislodge the broken bones. In addition, do not try to immobilize the finger yourself, for example, by wrapping it with a band-aid or sports tape to the next one. This can cause tension and displacement of bone fragments, which will only exacerbate the problem.