How long to recover from a broken finger?
A broken finger is a common bone break. It occurs due to injury or weakened bones. Your provider will use X-rays to diagnose finger fractures. Treatments usually include splints or surgery, for more severe fractures. Broken fingers generally heal well after treatment and rehabilitation. Appointments 216.444.2606.
How long does it take for a broken finger to heal?
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.
How should you seek medical care for a broken finger?
Aug 12, 2020 · Treatment Immobilization. Restricting the movement of a broken bone in your hand is critical to proper healing. To do this, you'll... Medications. To reduce pain, your doctor might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. If your pain is severe, you... Therapy. After your cast or splint is ...
What is the typical recovery time for a broken finger?
Jul 13, 2020 · If no treatment is needed, a small splint may be applied to protect the injured finger. In some cases, the finger next to the injured finger can be used as a splint; in this scenario the two fingers are "buddy taped". 4 . When the broken finger is out of position, the deformity may need to be corrected, or "reduced."
Can a broken finger be treated at home?
What do doctors do when your finger is broken?
How do I know if my finger is broken or just bruised?
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Symptoms of a bruised finger include:
- Pain.
- Stiffness.
- Swelling.
- Discoloration.
- Loss of finger mobility.
Is my finger broken or just swollen?
How long does it take to rehab a broken finger?
How long does it take to heal a broken finger?
The recovery time for a broken finger maybe as short as a few weeks or up to a year, depending upon multiple factors .
What is a broken finger?
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.
Why does my finger break?
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 ...
How to tell if your finger is broken?
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.
What is impacted fracture?
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.
Where to get help for a broken hand?
You might first seek treatment for a broken hand in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. If the pieces of broken bone aren't lined up properly to allow healing with immobilization, you might be referred to a doctor specializing in orthopedic surgery.
How to heal a broken bone in your hand?
Restricting the movement of a broken bone in your hand is critical to proper healing. To do this, you'll likely need a splint or a cast. You'll be advised to keep your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain.
How to fix a broken bone?
You might need surgery to implant pins, plates, rods or screws to hold your bones in place while they heal. A bone graft might be used to help healing. These options might be necessary if you have: 1 An open fracture 2 A fracture in which the bone pieces move before they heal 3 Loose bone fragments that could enter a joint 4 Damage to the surrounding ligaments, nerves or blood vessels 5 Fractures that extend into a joint
Can you move your fingers after a fracture?
Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you might need a local or general anesthetic before this procedure. Whatever your treatment, it's important to move your fingers regularly while the fracture is healing to keep them from stiffening. Ask your doctor about the best ways to move them. If you smoke, quit.
How long does it take for a splint to heal?
Rehabilitation can help, but it can take several months or longer for complete healing.
How to fix a broken finger?
Take a long thin item, as long as your broken finger, such as a popsicle stick or a pen. Place it next to your broken finger, or have a friend or family member help you hold it in place. Use medical tape to wrap together the stick or pen and your finger. Wrap it loosely.
How to stop bleeding from a finger?
Apply ice to the finger. Wrap the ice in a towel and apply it to the finger on your way to the emergency room. This will reduce swelling and bruising. Never apply ice directly to your skin. Keep your finger elevated as you ice it, above your heart. This will allow gravity to help reduce the swelling and bleeding. ...
Why is my finger swollen?
Check your finger for any bruising or swelling. Bruising and swelling will likely occur because you have broken tiny blood vessels in your finger. If you have fractured the fingertip, there will likely be purple blood visible underneath your nail and bruising on the pad of your finger.
How to tell if you have a fractured finger?
Examine your finger for any exposed cuts or bones. You may see large open wounds or pieces of bone that have broken your skin and are sticking out of your skin. These are signs of a severe fracture, known as a compound fracture. If you have these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.
How many bones are there in each finger?
You should see a doctor if you have a dislocated finger. There are 3 bones in each of your fingers and they are all arranged in the same manner. The first bone is the proximal phalanx, the second bone is the middle phalanx, and the bone farthest from your hand is the distal phalanx.
How to keep your finger elevated?
Make a splint. A splint will keep your finger elevated and hold it in place. To make a splint: Take a long thin item, as long as your broken finger, such as a popsicle stick or a pen. Place it next to your broken finger, or have a friend or family member help you hold it in place.
How many bones are in your thumb?
Your thumbs have 2 bones and your other digits have 3 bones. Broken fingers are common injuries, and they can happen due to a fall while playing sports, fingers getting caught in car doors, bending your finger in an awkward position, or other accidents.
How to tell if your finger is broken?
Signs of a broken finger include: 1 Pain when touching the bone 2 Swelling of the finger 3 Bruising of the finger 4 Difficulty bending the finger 5 Deformity of the finger 1
Can you get multiple X-rays for a broken finger?
If you have symptoms of a broken finger, your doctor will likely obtain an X-ray to determine if there is a fracture. Not all fractures show up well on a single X-ray , so it may be necessary to obtain multiple X-rays in different orientations if the diagnosis is un clear 2 .
Why do my fingers get fractured?
Causes. Most finger fractures occur as a result of trying to break a fall, or pushing away from an object. Your fingers are often the first part of your body to come in contact with a wall, floor, or other object that can cause injury. Finger fractures also occur as a result of crush injuries.
What is a fractured finger called?
Sometimes a fracture can occur as a result of abnormal bone within the finger. This type of fracture is called a pathologic fracture and is the result of having a condition ...
What causes a fracture in the finger?
Sometimes a fracture can occur as a result of abnormal bone within the finger . This type of fracture is called a pathologic fracture and is the result of having a condition that causes weakening of the bone leading to susceptibility to fracture. Common causes of pathologic fractures in the finger include tumors, infection, and osteoporosis.
What is a pathologic fracture?
This type of fracture is called a pathologic fracture and is the result of having a condition that causes weakening of the bone leading to susceptibility to fracture. Common causes of pathologic fractures in the finger include tumors, infection, and osteoporosis.
What are the symptoms of a finger injury?
Difficulty bending the finger. Deformity of the finger 1 . Other problems of the fingers can have similar symptoms, including infections, dislocation, and tendon injuries. Therefore, it is important that you have an injury evaluated if you are unsure of the diagnosis.
What is the best treatment for a fractured fingertip?
Most common opioid used for fingertip fracture is hydrocodone. The pain caused by mid shaft or proximal phalanx fracture may not respond to hydrocodone and patient may need to be treated with oxycodone or morphine. Muscle Relaxants- Fracture and pain triggers muscle contraction of hand and fingers.
What is a broken finger?
The term broken finger [1] is given when any one of the three bones of the finger sustain a fracture. The fingers are more prone to fractures than the thumb. In the case of a simple fracture to any of the bones, then the treatment is pretty simple and healing is quick. Complications occur only when the fracture is situated near the joints, ...
What is a finger injury?
Finger injuries vary from being a little as just a bruise or a contusion to as big as a fracture of the bones of the finger or a dislocation. Advertisement. If one is to understand the construction of a finger, it is made up of tendons that are the tissues which is responsible for attaching the bone to the muscle.
Why is my finger broken?
Causes of Broken Finger or Fractured Finger. The major cause of a mid finger fracture and broken fingertip is a direct trauma or a direct fall on the finger. An individual may also experience a broken finger tip or broken mid finger if person is trying to prevent a fall by extending arm and jamming the hand in to ground or object in front ...
What is the pain in the middle of the finger?
The pain at the tip of the finger suggests fracture that involves distal phalanx and this fracture is known as fingertip fracture. The pain in middle of finger is caused by fracture of middle phalanx and pain near the knuckle of the hand is caused due to fracture of proximal phalanx.
Why does my middle finger hurt?
The pain in middle of finger is caused by fracture of middle phalanx and pain near the knuckle of the hand is caused due to fracture of proximal phalanx. The pain is acute and sudden associated with swelling of the finger.
Why are fingers important?
Fingers have a very important role to play in the daily life of an individual. Fingers helps an individual with gripping and grasping an object, they are used for touching things, as well as play an important role in interaction, which makes them vulnerable to injuries. Finger injuries vary from being a little as just a bruise or a contusion ...
How to treat a swollen finger?
Treatment advice for the first few days: Keep your hand elevated above the level of your heart as much as possible. This helps reduce swelling. The more your finger is swollen, the more it may hurt. If the tip of your finger is visible, check it regularly to ensure there is good blood flow throughout your finger.
What happens if you break your finger?
If you break a finger, everyday tasks can become complicated. And not only are things awkward to do with the splint or brace on your finger, you have to deal with the pain of the fracture too. Luckily, broken fingers usually heal well and the incident quickly becomes history. Learn what to expect while your broken finger heals ...
How does a splint protect your finger?
Your splint protects your finger by keeping the three phalangeal bones in your finger aligned and immobile. Keep your splint dry, which means covering it with plastic or a special cover whenever it could get wet.
Why does my finger feel numb?
If your finger feels numb or it doesn’t seem to have good blood circulation, this could be due to damage to the blood vessels or nerves. Post-traumatic arthritis, a form of osteoarthritis following an injury.
How to reduce swelling after a splint?
If you have a splint that allows you to feel ice, consider applying an ice pack to your finger a few times a day for about 20 minutes at a time for the first few days after the fracture. This will help reduce swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth so it doesn’t directly touch the skin.
How to regain full range of motion?
Exercises and physical therapy can help you regain full range of motion. Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, particularly if you had surgery. Failure to heal, called nonunion. The bone may not heal properly. If this occurs, your doctor may recommend surgery to realign the bone. Damage to the blood vessels or nerves.
What to do if your finger is broken?
If you suspect that your finger is broken or fractured, be sure to treat it immediately, and seek medical attention if needed.
How long does it take for a broken finger to heal?
Complications Of A Broken Finger. After immobilization, reduction, and healing for four to six weeks, there’s a good chance that your broken finger will now be healed. The most common problem after broken finger treatment is joint stiffness. This is because of scar tissue formation and due to the immobilization period.
How to tell if you have a broken finger?
The most accurate way to determine if you have a broken finger is to consult with your doctor. In the meantime, here are five signs your finger might be broken. 1. Immediate Pain. The most tell-tale symptom of a broken finger is immediate pain after the injury.
Can a broken finger cause pain?
2. There’s Still Some Movement. A fracture will be painful, whereas a broken finger could still have some movement to it, and duller pain.
Is it painful to break a finger?
A fracture will be painful, whereas a broken finger could still have some movement to it, and duller pain. It all depends on fracture stability, as some fractures can be more painful than others.
How many bones are there in each finger?
There are no muscles in the fingers, as they move by the pull of the forearm muscles on the tendons. There are three bones in each finger that are named due to their relationship to the palm of the hand. The first bone is the one closest to the palm, and it’s called the proximal phalanx.
How long does a finger fracture last?
If the fracture is stable, then the treatment could be as simple as buddy taping or splinting one finger to another. This could last for about four weeks, and maybe two more, and you shouldn’t do any strenuous exercise during recovery.
How to treat a fractured finger?
Immediate treatment of a suspected fracture should involve resting the finger, immobilizing it with a splint or buddy strap, applying ice and elevating the hand above the heart to reduce bleeding and swelling . Medical attention should then be sought.
What is a broken finger?
Broken finger. A broken finger is a break or fracture in any one of the 3 small phalange bones which make up each finger. It is common in contact sports and usually caused by direct impact or trauma.
How do you know if you broke your finger?
Symptoms. A broken finger will be the result of some kind of impact or collision. The athlete will feel immediate pain with swelling and bruising which will appear quite quickly. It will be painful to try and move the finger which may appear deformed if the bone is displaced or joint dislocated. If there is any nerve damage, ...
How long does a finger fracture last?
This may be kept in place for 3-4 weeks.
Why does my fingernail hurt?
Fractures of the distal phalanx (the end bone of the finger) can also cause problems with the fingernail, especially if it was caused by a crush injury (see black fingernail ). Blood may gather under the nail causing a build-up of pressure and pain. This may require draining.
