when to seek treatment for a hand injury

When people injure their hand or wrist and are concerned they may have a fracture or other injury, they often seek treatment immediately in the emergency department. Often parents of young children want peace of mind and go to an emergency department to get an x-ray.

Full Answer

When should I seek medical attention for a hand injury?

Anyone with a hand injury should consider calling a doctor or seek medical attention. The potential for devastating injuries increases greatly when medical attention is delayed. Even the smallest cut or seemingly innocent hand injury could require advanced treatment to prevent infection or significant loss of function.

When should I go to the ER for a hand injury?

Injuries to the hand causing the following symptoms generally require emergency medical attention at a hospital's emergency department. Seek emergency medical care in these situations: Fractures, dislocations, high pressure injuries, and amputations require immediate care. Any deep, gaping (open), or dirty cut requires prompt medical care.

How do I care for a hand injury at home?

Home care for hand injuries initially involves proper first aid techniques. In most cases, serious hand injuries will require medical attention. Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding. If possible, wash dirt or debris from the wound. Cover the wound to prevent further contamination or injury.

What should I do if I have a broken hand?

You should seek immediate medical care at an ER, where doctors can decide whether to get x-rays, which would recognize a fracture. Treatment would involve splinting temporarily, but if it's severe, surgery to re-align the bones. The main symptoms of a broken hand may include the following.

When should you go to the doctor for a hand injury?

you have an open wound that needs immediate treatment; you are in severe pain; or. the area is warm, red, or tender, or you have a fever of over 100° F/ 37.8° C (these are signs of possible infection).

How do you know if a hand injury is serious?

When to Seek Medical Care for Hand InjurySevere bleeding.Numbness.Loss of motion or strength.Severe pain.Obvious deformity or amputation.Any of the signs of infection, such as tenderness, local warmth, redness, swelling, pus, or fever.More items...

How do I know if my hand is sprained or broken?

Is it a break?Pain located directly on top of the bone – where there is no soft tissue.Pain becomes worse when you apply pressure or move the injured limb.Severe swelling, or bruising over the top of the bone, numbness or tingling.A "cracking" (not "popping") sound at the time of the injury.More items...•

Is my hand fractured or bruised?

The symptoms of a hand fracture include: Bruising and swelling of any part of the hand. Deformity in the joint, such as a finger that is crooked. Numbness, stiffness, or the inability to move the hand, fingers, wrist, and thumb.

What does a hairline fracture in the hand feel like?

Hairline fractures can occur from overuse or repetitive activity. They can be hard to notice, but a dull pain often develops over time. Feelings of pain from light to moderate pressure can indicate a hairline fracture. Pain may be reduced using common painkillers, such as paracetamol.

How do I know if I broke my metacarpal bone?

What are the symptoms of a metacarpal fracture?Immediate pain in the hand.Pain that gets worse when you move your hand, particularly if you try to grip or squeeze something.Swelling and bruising in the injured hand.Visible deformity of the injured hand.More items...

Can you move your hand if it's fractured?

If you think you have a broken hand, see a doctor immediately. But until you can seek medication attention, there are things you can do to care for your hand. These include the following first aid procedures: Avoid moving your hand.

What happens if a broken hand goes untreated?

If left untreated or not treated appropriately, a hand fracture can lead to loss of hand mobility. People at higher risk of developing a hand fracture are those who have osteoporosis, play contact sports, or those who have poor nutritional habits.

What does a sprained hand feel like?

What Are the Symptoms of Wrist/Hand Sprains? Immediate pain in the wrist or hand after a direct blow or twist. Pain and stiffness with movement or activity in hand and wrist.

What is the most common hand injury?

Hand injuries come about for various reasons, including work, trauma, overuse, or sports. The three most common hand injuries are fractures/avulsions, tendinitis, and dislocations/deformities.

Can a hand be sprained?

A hand sprain occurs when you stretch or tear a ligament in your hand. Ligaments are the tough tissues that connect one bone to another. Most hand sprains will heal with treatment you can do at home. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

How do you treat a broken hand at home?

How can you care for yourself at home?Put ice or a cold pack on your hand for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. ... Follow the cast care instructions your doctor gives you. ... Take pain medicines exactly as directed. ... Prop up your hand on pillows when you sit or lie down in the first few days after the injury.More items...

Where to get treatment for broken hand?

Preparing for your appointment. 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 long does it take for a splint to heal?

Rehabilitation can help, but it can take several months or longer for complete healing.

What is the procedure to hold bones in place?

Surgical and other procedures. 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: Even after reduction and immobilization with a cast or splint, your bones can shift.

What to do if you have a fractured bone?

If you have an open fracture, in which you have a wound or break in the skin near the wound site, you'll likely be given an antibiotic to prevent infection that could reach the bone.

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.

What to do if your wrist is so bad?

A wrist fracture, for instance, will cause pain you can’t ignore. “When the pain is so bad you can’t move past it, call your doctor or head to the emergency department,” he says. If you don’t have that level of pain, then listen to your body.

How to stop tennis elbow from swollen?

Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Use a stretchy elastic bandage or other compression device to wrap the painful or swollen area. If you can tie your pain to overexertion, or if you think it stems from repetitive motion (such as tennis elbow ), take a break from that activity. Give your body a rest.

Can you get tendonitis if you are active?

If you’re highly active, you can typically expect some pain in your joints as you get older. “Mileage plays a role,” says Dr. Seitz.

Can a hand injury heal on its own?

Although most minor injuries to the hands, fingers, and wrists will heal on their own, at times a visit to a hand specialist is necessary. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, contact South Shore Orthopedics today for an appointment.

Can South Shore Orthopedics help with carpal tunnel?

Whether you have suffered an injury to your hand or suspect a hand condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome, South Shore Orthopedics and our team of hand experts can help. Our providers will evaluate your symptoms and work to ensure your hand pain is eliminated once and for all.

How to treat a fractured hand?

If your hand fracture is associated with an open wound, it should be washed out with sterile saline solution and covered with clean gauze. If you must clean the wound yourself, you should seek the care of medical professionals as soon as you can. You may then receive a course of antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection, especially if the fracture is associated with an open wound. Possible antibiotics that may be given include cefazolin (Ancef), vancomycin (Vancocin), or ceftriaxone (Rocephin), among others. The antibiotics are usually continued for 48 to 72 hours or for 24 hours after the wound is closed.

How to tell if your hand is broken?

Symptoms of a broken hand include pain, tenderness and swelling over the site of the injury, a possible open wound, deformity of the hand, an inability to move the hand, and surrounding numbness or tingling. Possible treatment includes splinting, ice, the cleaning and closure of any wounds, antibiotics, reduction for displaced fractures, ...

What happens if a hand fracture is displaced?

If a hand fracture is displaced, meaning the bone fragments have been displaced from their usual position, the fracture may need to be reduced so that the bone fragments are restored to their normal positions.

What happens if you fall on your hand?

Falling onto an outstretched hand: Falling onto an outstretched hand with the hand extended back may cause a fracture of one of the carpal bones , most commonly the scaphoid bone, which is located near the base of the thumb. Trauma to the palm of the hand: This may cause a fracture of one of the metacarpal bones.

What percentage of hand fractures are caused by a broken thumb?

These fractures account for 30 to 40 percent of all hand fractures. “Jamming” the thumb: An injury that jams the thumb, such as falling onto an outstretched thumb or hitting the thumb against a hard surface, can cause a fracture of the metacarpal of the thumb.

Why is it important to open wounds?

This is important because an open wound increases the risk of infection and requires specific treatment to reduce the risk of infection.

What causes stress fractures in the hand?

Repetitive stress to any of the bones in the hand, which may be seen in athletes or people whose occupations require the use of their hands may result in stress fractures of the hand.

What to do if you have a hand injury?

Takeaway. If you’ve injured your hand, a bandage might be able to help in the healing process. If your hand injury is serious, you should seek treatment right away . If your hand injury is minor, a bandage can provide stability, reduce your chances of infection, and quicken healing time.

How to help a sprained hand heal?

When to use a bandage: A compression bandage can help maintain pressure around the sprained area. This minimizes swelling by preventing fluid buildup at the site of the sprain, helping your hand heal faster. A doctor might recommend a specialized device to immobilize your hand, such as a splint.

How to treat a sprain in the hand?

However, you may visit a doctor to understand the source of your strain and how best to treat it. When to use a bandage: As with a sprain, a compression bandage will help to immobilize the injured area and maintain pressure. A doctor might recommend a specialized device to immobilize your hand, such as a splint.

How to wrap a wound on your wrist?

Steps: If you are treating a hand wound or burn, rinse the affected area and apply a sterile gauze dressing before wrapping your hand in a bandage. Open the roller bandage, and start with the end of the roll at the inside of your wrist. Wrap the bandage twice around your wrist.

How to wrap a bandage around your wrist?

Wrap the bandage twice around your wrist. The material should be flat against the wrist. From the inside of your wrist, pull the bandage diagonally across the top of your hand. The roll should now be beside your pinky finger. Pull the bandage around your pinky finger and under the fingers to your pointer finger.

What is the best way to heal a burn?

skin that looks charred, or has black, white, or brown patches. burns that are larger than three inches across. When to use a bandage: Bandages can help to improve burn healing. After cooling and moisturizing a burn, applying a loose gauze bandage to the affected area of your hand will protect damaged skin.

How to use a bandage for a wound?

After rinsing a minor wound, apply antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a gauze bandage. If the wound is small, use a plaster.