You may also feel a sharp pain when you touch the finger. This is a symptom of a broken finger. Some people can still move their finger even if it’s broken, and may experience numbness or a dull pain. But these could still be signs of a fractured or broken finger and require immediate medical attention. [3] X Research source Watch out for numbness or tingling as well, since these can be symptoms of nerve damage caused by a broken bone.
If you aren’t able to see a difference in your skin color when you press on it, try using your nail bed, instead. Gently press your fingernail, then watch how long it takes for it to turn pink again.
You should also get immediate medical care if there is a lot of blood coming from an open wound on your finger.
There are 3 bones in each of your fingers and they are all arranged in the same manner. The first bone is the proximal phalanx, the second bone is the middle phalanx, and the bone farthest from your hand is the distal phalanx. Because your thumb is the shortest finger, it does not have a middle phalanx. Your knuckles are joints formed by the bones of your fingers. Often, you break your finger at the knuckles, or the joints. [7] X Research source Breaks at the base of your finger (the distal phalanx) are usually easier to treat than fractures at your joints or knuckles. [8] X Research source
If you think you have a sprained finger, avoid using the finger. Check to see if the pain and swelling gets better over the next day or two. If the pain and swelling does not go away, you should get medical treatment to confirm the finger is only sprained and not fractured or broken. A physical and x-rays will determine this.
Keep your finger elevated as you ice it, above your heart. This will allow gravity to help reduce the swelling and bleeding.
Take a long thin item, as long as your broken finger, such as a popsicle stick or a pen. Place it next to your broken finger, or have a friend or family member help you hold it in place. Use medical tape to wrap together the stick or pen and your finger. Wrap it loosely. The tape should not squeeze or pinch your finger. If your finger is wrapped too tightly, this can cause additional swelling and cut off circulation to your injured digit. [11] X Research source
Some studies show that NSAIDs can slow down the healing process if you have broken bones, so your doctor may recommend avoiding these kinds of medications if you have a fracture. [14] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source Icing your finger will also help numb the pain and keep any swelling down.
Simple fractures are breaks or cracks in the bone that do not break through the skin. Complex fractures are breaks in which the bone sticks though the skin.
In some cases, your doctor may strap your broken finger to the finger next to it, known as buddy taping. The splint will hold your finger in position as it heals. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Your doctor may also move the bone back into place, a procedure known as reduction. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. Your doctor will then realign the bone.
Your doctor can also give you a prescription for pain medication to decrease the pain, depending on the severity of your injury. If you have an open wound on the finger, you may need antibiotics or a tetanus shot. This medicine will prevent any infection caused by bacteria entering the wound.
Your doctor may recommend open reduction surgery. The surgeon will make a small cut on your finger so they can see the fracture and move the bone. In some cases, the surgeon may use small wires or plates and screws to keep the bone in place and allow it to heal properly. These pins will later be removed once your finger has healed.
These specialists will then examine your injury and determine if your injury requires surgery.
Your follow-up appointment with a doctor or hand specialist should be one week after your initial treatment. At the follow-up appointment, the physician will check that the bone fragments are still aligned and healing properly. [22] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source For most fractures, you will need up to 6 weeks of rest before you can return to sporting activity or work.
