Finger Fracture

A complete or incomplete break in a finger bone. While a finger fracture is often considered a minor trauma, without proper treatment it can cause major problems. The bones in a normal hand line up precisely, allowing manual dexterity and precise movement with the fingers and thumb. When a bone in the finger is fractured it can cause improper alignment of the entire hand. Without treatment, a fractured finger can remain stiff and painful for a long time.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

• Any of the bones of a finger, but usually the bone closest to the hand.
• Any of the joints of the fingers, or the joints between the fingers and the hand.
• Soft tissue surrounding the fracture site, including nerves, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.

Causes

Direct blow or indirect stress on the finger bones. Usually it's no surprise - the finger has been whacked, jammed, crushed, or sustained some other direct injury. However, fractures can also happen when the finger has been pulled or twisted suddenly and forcefully. Rarely, a bone may break through a weak spot caused by a tumor or cyst - this may be the first sign of the problem.

Signs & Symptoms

• Severe pain at the fracture site.
• Swelling of soft tissue surrounding the fracture.
• Visible deformity if the fracture is complete and bone fragments separate enough to distort normal finger contours.
• Tenderness to the touch.
• Numb or cold finger or fingertip, if the blood supply is impaired.

Treatment

Follow your doctor's instructions. Instructions are supplemental.

• Immobilization will be necessary. A splint is placed on the injured finger, extending beyond the finger-hand joint.
• After 48 hours, localized heat promotes healing by increasing blood circulation in the injured area. Use a heating pad or heat lamp.
• After the splint is removed, use ice soaks 3 or 4 times a day. Fill a bucket with ice water, and soak the injured area for 20 minutes at a time.
• Apply heat instead of ice, if it feels better. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, hot showers, heating pads, or heat liniments or ointments.
• Take whirlpool treatments, if available.

Exercises

Rehabilitation for a fractured finger is a matter of following prescribed treatment until symptoms disappear. You may be required to wear a splint or cast until the bone heals. However, the following exercises may aid in restoring strength and range of motion to the injured hand once the finger is healed.

• Ball squeeze :- Place a tennis ball or equivalent in the palm of the injured hand and squeeze as forcefully as pain permits for five seconds. Slowly relax the hand. Rest for five seconds. Repeat 10 times at least three times a day. Generally, the more often the sequence can be repeated in a day, the better. From day to day, pain should subside until the point where the exercise can be done without pain.
• Finger extension :- Place hand, palm forward, on a wall or other flat surface. Press the palm toward the flat surface as fully as pain permits and hold for five seconds. Return to starting position and rest for five seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times at least three times a day. Generally, the more often the sequence can be repeated in a day, the better. From day to day, pain should subside until the point where the exercise can be done without pain.

Home Diet

• Drink only water before manipulation or surgery to treat the fracture. Solid food in your stomach makes vomiting while under anesthesia more hazardous.
• During recovery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs.

Prevention Tips

If you have had a previous finger injury, use tape or padding to protect the finger when participating in contact sports.