A finger is said to be broken if there is a broken bone in one of the fingers. The thumb has two bones and the other finger has three bones. A broken finger is a common injury from falling during sports, getting caught in a car door, or other incidents. In order to treat it properly, you must first determine the severity of the injury. You can do help at home before going to the nearest hospital.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Determining the Injury Level
Step 1. Check your fingers for bruising or swelling
Bruising or swelling occurs because there are small blood vessels that burst in the finger. If the fingertip is broken, you will see purplish blood under the fingernail and bruising on the pad of the finger.
- You may be in a lot of pain if your finger is touched. This is a sign of a broken finger. Some people can still move their finger even if it is broken and feel numb or less painful. However, this could be a sign of a broken finger and requires immediate medical attention.
- Observe the sensation of numbness or cessation of capillary refill. Capillary refill is the return of blood flow to the finger after being pressed.
Step 2. Examine the finger for open wounds or fractures
You can see an open wound or bone fragments tearing the skin and getting stuck there. This is a sign of a severe fracture, known as an open fracture. If you experience this, seek medical attention immediately.
Likewise, if a lot of blood comes out of an open wound on the finger, you should go to the doctor
Step 3. Check if the finger shape changes
If any part of the finger is pointing in a different direction, a fracture or dislocation may occur. Finger dislocations occur when the bones shift position and are usually seen to deform at joints such as the knuckle. See a doctor right away if you experience a bone dislocation.
- Each finger has three bones and all have the same arrangement. The first bone is the proximal phalanx, the second bone is the middle phalanx, and the bone furthest from the hand is the distal phalanx. Since the thumb is the shortest finger, it does not have a middle phalanx. The knuckle is a joint formed by the finger bones. Often the fingers are broken at the knuckle or joint.
- Fractures at the base of the finger (distal phalanx) are easier to treat than fractures at the joint or knuckle.
Step 4. Watch if the pain and swelling subside after a few hours
If the finger is not dislocated or bruised and the pain and swelling is reduced, the finger may just be sprained. A sprain means stretching of a ligament, the part of the tissue that holds bones together at a joint.
If you sprain, rest your finger. Check if the pain and swelling improves in a day or two. If it doesn't improve, you should get medical help to make sure that the finger is just sprained, not broken. Physical examination and X-rays will determine the results
Method 2 of 4: Treating Fingers While Waiting for Doctor's Treatment
Step 1. Compress the finger with ice cubes
Wrap the ice in a towel and place it on your finger on the way to the hospital. This reduces swelling and bruising. Do not place ice unwrapped on the skin.
Adjust the position of the fingers so that they are higher when the ice is compressed, above the chest. This allows gravity to help relieve swelling and bruising
Step 2. Create a splint
The splint keeps the finger elevated and keeps it from shifting. How to make a splint:
- Prepare a long, flat material about the size of your broken finger, such as a popsicle stick or pen.
- Place it on the side of the broken finger, or ask friends or family to place it.
- Use medical adhesive to attach a stick or pen to your finger. Tie loosely. The adhesive tape should not press or pinch your fingers. If the finger is tied too tightly, it can exacerbate swelling and block blood flow to the finger area.
Step 3. Try to remove the ring or jewelry
If possible, remove the ring before the finger swells. The ring will be more difficult to remove when the finger begins to swell and become painful.
Method 3 of 4: Getting Medical Treatment
Step 1. Get a physical examination by a doctor
The doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical examination to get more in-depth information and see how severe the injury is. The doctor will check for deformities, neovascular integrity, finger malrotation, skin tears or wounds.
Step 2. Let the doctor take an X-ray of your finger
This allows the doctor to determine if there is a broken bone in your finger. There are two types of fractures: simple and complex fractures. The type of fracture you have will determine the treatment.
- A simple fracture is a fracture or break in the bone that does not penetrate the skin.
- Complex fractures are fractures that penetrate the skin.
Step 3. Let the doctor splint the finger if you get a simple fracture
A simple fracture occurs when the finger is stable and there are no open cuts or tears in the skin at the site of the fracture. Generally, symptoms don't get worse or cause complications that affect your ability to move your finger after the finger is treated.
- In some cases, the doctor may tie the broken finger with the finger next to it, which is known as buddy taping. The splint will hold your finger in position during the healing process.
- The doctor may also push the bone back into position, a procedure known as reduction. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb it. The doctor will realign your bones.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about painkillers
You can take over-the-counter medications to reduce swelling and pain, but you should still talk to your doctor about which medication is right for you and how much to take each day.
- Your doctor may also prescribe medication to reduce pain, depending on the extent of your injury.
- If you have an open sore on your finger, you may need antibiotics or a tetanus shot. This treatment prevents infection caused by bacteria from entering the wound.
Step 5. Consider surgery if the wound is complex and severe
If the fracture is severe, you may need surgery to stabilize the broken bone.
- Your doctor may suggest open reduction surgery. The doctor will make a small incision in the finger so he can see the fracture and move the bone. In some cases, doctors use small wires or plates and screws to hold the bone in place and allow it to heal properly.
- This pin will be removed later when the finger has healed.
Step 6. Get a referral to see an orthopedic surgeon or hand surgeon
If you have an open fracture, severe fracture, nerve injury, or vascular compromise, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon (bone and joint specialist) or a hand surgeon.
A specialist will examine your injury and decide if the wound requires surgery
Method 4 of 4: Treating Injury
Step 1. Keep the splint clean, dry, and raised
This will prevent infection especially if there is an open cut or cut on the finger. Keeping the finger elevated also helps the finger stay in position and allows it to recover properly.
Step 2. Do not use your fingers or hands until the time of the next examination
Use the uninjured hand to perform daily activities such as eating, bathing and picking up things. It is important to allow time for the finger to heal without moving or disturbing the splint.
- The next appointment with the doctor or hand specialist is usually one week after the first visit. At the next appointment, the doctor will check whether the bone fragments are still straight and recovering well.
- In most cases of fracture, your finger will need to be rested for up to six weeks before returning to active sports or work.
Step 3. Start moving your finger when the splint is removed
As soon as the doctor confirms the finger has recovered and is removed from the splint, it is important to move the finger. If the finger is splinted for too long or does not move after it is removed from the splint, the joint will become stiff and the finger will be difficult to move and use.
Step 4. Consult a physiotherapist if your injury is severe
The therapist will give advice so that the finger can move normally again. He or she may also provide light exercises for the hand to keep the fingers moving and ensure that finger mobility is restored.
