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Finger fractures are one of the most common injuries seen in emergency rooms. However, determining whether you have truly broken your finger before heading to the hospital is also important. Ligament strains or tears can cause pain, but it may not be severe enough to require emergency care. You should visit a doctor if you experience a sprain or torn ligament. A broken bone, on the other hand, can lead to internal bleeding or other injuries that demand immediate medical attention.
Steps
Recognizing the Signs of a Broken Finger
Assess Pain Levels. Pain is the first indicator that a finger may be broken. The intensity of the pain depends on the severity of the fracture. After an injury, you should handle the finger carefully and monitor the pain levels.
- It may be difficult to immediately determine if the finger is broken, as acute pain is also a symptom of a sprain or dislocation.
- Observe other symptoms and/or seek medical care if you're unsure about the seriousness of the injury.
Check for swelling and bruising. After a finger fracture, you will notice pain along with swelling or bruising. This is the body's natural response to injury. Following a fracture, the body triggers an inflammatory response, causing swelling as fluid accumulates in the surrounding tissues.
- Swelling is often accompanied by bruising. This occurs because the capillaries around the injury site swell or burst when reacting to increased fluid pressure.
- At first, it may be hard to tell if the finger is broken, as it may still be movable. After attempting movement, swelling and bruising will typically become visible. The swelling might also spread to other fingers or the palm of the hand.
- Typically, you will notice swelling and bruising 5-10 minutes after the injury.
- However, mild swelling or no bruising right away could be a sign of a sprain rather than a fracture.
Note the deformity and inability to move the finger. A broken finger involves a fracture or crack in the bone, either at one or more points. Bone deformity can appear as unusual lumps or the finger may be twisted in a different direction.
- A bent appearance may indicate a fracture.
- Typically, you won't be able to move your finger if it is broken, as one or more bone segments are no longer connected.
- Swelling and bruising could also cause the finger to become too stiff, making it difficult to move after the injury.
Know when to seek medical care. If you suspect your finger is broken, you should go to the nearest emergency room. Bone fractures are complex injuries, and their severity may not be obvious from the outside. Some fractures require multiple treatments to heal properly. If you're unsure whether your finger is broken, it's best to see a doctor. Better safe than sorry!
- If you're experiencing significant pain, swelling, bruising, any deformity, or reduced finger movement, you need medical attention.
- Children with finger injuries should always be taken to a doctor. Growing bones are more susceptible to injury and complications if not treated properly.
- If a bone fracture is not treated by a medical professional, your finger and hand may remain stiff and painful when trying to move the finger.
- A misaligned bone may prevent the proper function of your hand.
Diagnosing a Broken Finger at the Clinic
Physical Examination. If you suspect your finger is broken, you should seek medical care. During the exam, the doctor will assess the injury and determine the severity of the fracture.
- The doctor will test the range of motion of your finger by asking you to make a fist. They will also look for external signs like swelling, bruising, and bone deformity.
- The doctor will feel your finger to check for reduced blood circulation in the affected area and any nerve damage.
Request for an Image Examination. If the finger injury cannot be diagnosed through a physical examination, the doctor may recommend imaging tests to determine if there is a bone fracture. These tests include X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
- X-rays are usually the first imaging test used to diagnose fractures. The doctor will position your injured finger between the X-ray machine and detector, and low-dose radio waves will pass through your finger to take images. This process is quick and painless.
- CT scans involve the use of X-rays to capture images of your injured finger from multiple angles. If the initial X-ray results are unclear or if there is suspicion of soft tissue damage related to the fracture, a CT scan may be recommended.
- An MRI might be necessary if the doctor suspects a hairline fracture, which occurs after repeated injuries over time. An MRI provides detailed images that can help distinguish between soft tissue damage and a hairline fracture in the finger.
Consult Your Doctor About Surgery Options. Surgery may be necessary if you have a severe bone fracture, such as an open fracture. Some fractures are unstable and require surgical intervention to realign the bone fragments using tools like wires or pins to ensure proper healing.
- Any severe fracture that hinders movement and causes deformity must be surgically treated to restore joint function.
- You may be surprised at how difficult it can be to carry out everyday activities without fully functioning fingers. Professions like orthopedic surgeons, surgeons, artists, and mechanics rely on fine motor skills to perform their jobs accurately. Therefore, proper care of a broken finger is essential.
Finger Fracture Treatment
Apply Ice, Compression, and Elevate. Reduce swelling and pain by applying ice as soon as possible. Make sure to rest your injured finger.
- Apply ice to your finger by wrapping a frozen vegetable bag or ice pack in a thin cloth and gently pressing it against the injury. Apply the ice immediately after the injury (do not leave it on for more than 20 minutes at a time).
- Wrap the injury with an elastic bandage to provide compression, which helps reduce swelling and immobilize the finger. During your first visit to the doctor, ask if you should wrap the finger to prevent further swelling and restrict movement of the other fingers.
- Elevate your hand. Whenever possible, raise the injured finger above your heart. You may find it most comfortable to sit on a sofa, propping your hand and fingers on the backrest of the couch.
- Avoid using the injured finger for everyday tasks until the doctor deems it safe.
Ask Your Doctor if You Need a Splint. Splints are used to immobilize a broken finger and prevent further injury. You can create a temporary splint using a popsicle stick and bandages until you can see a doctor for proper care.
- Splint types vary depending on which finger is injured. A "buddy" splint can be useful for a minor fracture by taping the injured finger to the neighboring finger for support.
- A dorsal splint helps prevent the finger from bending backward. A soft splint is placed to keep the injured finger slightly bent toward the palm and secured with a soft bandage.
- A U-shaped aluminum splint is a flexible splint that can prevent the injured finger from straightening. This splint is positioned behind the finger to keep it immobilized.
- In more severe cases, the doctor may apply a fiberglass splint from the finger to the wrist. Essentially, this is a type of cast for your finger.
Consult with Your Doctor to Determine if Surgery is Necessary. Surgery may be essential for treating and healing a fractured bone if immobilization and waiting don’t work effectively. Generally, fractures requiring surgery are more complicated than those that can be treated with immobilization alone.
- Fractures that are open, unstable, fragmented into multiple pieces, or that involve joint damage require surgery. The bone fragments need to be repositioned to ensure proper healing.
Take Pain Medication. Your doctor might suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain caused by a broken bone. NSAIDs help reduce the negative effects of long-term inflammation, alleviate pain, and ease pressure on nerves and surrounding tissues without interfering with the healing process.
- Common over-the-counter NSAIDs for fracture pain include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). You can also take acetaminophen (Tylenol), although it’s not an NSAID and doesn’t reduce inflammation.
- If you're experiencing intense pain, your doctor may prescribe codeine-based medications for short-term relief. The pain should lessen as the fracture heals, and your doctor will lower the dosage once the bone is on its way to recovery.
Attend Follow-Up Appointments as Directed. Your doctor may schedule follow-up visits a few weeks after the initial treatment. They might also suggest an X-ray to monitor the healing process 1-2 weeks after the injury. It’s crucial to keep these appointments to confirm that your finger is healing properly.
- If you have any questions about your injury or any concerns, be sure to contact the clinic.
Understand Possible Complications. In most cases, a broken finger heals well with proper medical treatment in 4-6 weeks. However, while the risk of complications is low, it's important to be aware of the following:
- Joint stiffness may develop due to scar tissue forming around the fracture site. This can be managed with physical therapy to strengthen the finger muscles and reduce scarring.
- There’s a possibility that the bone may rotate during healing, causing a deformity. Surgery might be needed to reposition it correctly.
- If the bone fragments don’t fuse together, this may lead to permanent instability, known as “non-union.”
- Skin infection can occur if the skin around the fracture is not properly cleaned before surgery.
Learn About the Different Types of Bone Fractures
Understanding Finger Fractures. The human hand consists of 27 bones: 8 in the wrist, 5 in the palm, and 14 bones in the fingers (3 sets of phalanges).
- The closest phalanx to the palm is the longest part of the finger. Then comes the middle phalanx, followed by the most distal phalanx that forms the 'tip' of the finger.
- Acute injuries such as falls, accidents, and sports-related trauma are common causes of finger fractures. The fingertip is one of the most susceptible parts of the body as it is involved in nearly every activity of daily life.
Recognizing a Stable Fracture. A stable fracture is a type of bone break where the bones remain aligned or only minimally displaced at the fracture site. Known as a nondisplaced fracture, this type may be difficult to identify as it shares symptoms with other injuries.
Recognizing a Displaced Fracture. A displaced fracture occurs when the broken bone ends no longer align or meet properly. This type of fracture is identified by the lack of contact between the fractured bone ends.
Recognizing a Compound Fracture. A compound fracture involves a broken bone that shifts, with one part piercing through the skin. Due to the severity of the damage to the bone and surrounding tissues, immediate medical attention is essential.
Recognizing a Comminuted Fracture. A comminuted fracture is a type of displaced fracture where the bone breaks into three or more fragments. Although not always, this fracture often involves significant injury to surrounding tissues. The intense pain and inability to move the injured limb make it easier to diagnose this type of fracture.
Warning
- Regardless of the advice above, seek medical attention if you believe you have sustained a serious injury.
