Fracture Care
A direct injury to your hand can result in a break or crack in one or more bones of the hand. In cases of hand fractures, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. Untimely treatment of hand fractures may result in bones not healing in proper alignment. This can affect your ability to do your day-to-day tasks and activities.
Symptoms of a Broken Hand
If you have a break or crack in one or several bones of your hand, you may experience any of these symptoms:
- Severe pain that may feel worse when you’re squeezing or moving your hand
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Obvious deformity
- Inability to move fingers or thumb
- Numbness in the fingers or thumb
Diagnosing and Treating Hand Fractures
Hand fractures are diagnosed after a careful physical examination and imaging tests such as x-rays.
Treatment for hand fractures can vary, depending on the severity of the condition.
Reduction
If the broken ends of your bone are not aligned, the doctor may perform a procedure called reduction. You may either need local or general anesthesia, depending on your pain level and swelling you have. In this procedure, the doctor will manipulate the pieces back into position so healing can occur.
Immobilization
Movement restriction on the affected hand is vital for its healing. You may need a splint or cast to keep the affected site immobilized.
Medications
For pain relief, the doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications. If the pain is so severe, he/she may recommend an opioid medication.
Therapy
After a period of hand immobilization (through the use of splint or cast), you may be recommended for physical therapy to restore movement and reduce stiffness. Depending on the severity of your fracture, it may take several months before you can have complete healing.
Surgically Treating Hand Fractures
There are cases in which surgery may be needed. This may be recommended if you have:
- An open fracture
- Fractures that extend into a joint
- Loose bone fragments that could enter a joint
- A fracture that poses damage to the surrounding structures such as the ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels
South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine has a team of hand and wrist specialists who are experts in diagnosing and treating hand fractures. Our team understands the delicacy and complexity of the hand and wrist, and offer a variety of treatment options to help you feel better faster.
To request a same day or next day appointment, please schedule an appointment or call (772) 288-2400.