A fracture is a break in one of the bones of the hand, wrist or fingers. Falls on an outstretched hand, sports, direct blows and crush injuries are the usual causes. Common patterns include wrist (distal radius) fractures, scaphoid fractures in the small wrist bone near the base of the thumb, boxer's fractures of the small-finger knuckle from punching a hard object, and fractures of the finger bones. Some, especially scaphoid fractures, are easy to miss on the first X-ray.
Warning signs
- Pain and tenderness over one specific bone
- Swelling and bruising, sometimes delayed by hours
- A crooked finger or a sunken knuckle
- Fingers that overlap when you make a fist
- Pain in the hollow at the base of the thumb after a fall
Treatment
X-rays come first, and a CT or MRI is sometimes added when a hidden scaphoid fracture is suspected. Stable, non-displaced fractures are usually treated with a splint, cast or buddy-taping, followed by hand therapy. Displaced or unstable fractures may be set and held with small pins, or repaired with plates and screws. Hand therapy typically starts as soon as the bone is stable enough for protected motion.
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Questions patients ask
What is a hand or finger fracture?
A fracture is a break in one of the bones of the hand, wrist or fingers. Falls on an outstretched hand, sports, direct blows and crush injuries are the usual causes. Common patterns include wrist (distal radius) fractures, scaphoid fractures in the small wrist bone near the base of the thumb, boxer's fractures of the small-finger knuckle from punching a hard object, and fractures of the finger bones. Some, especially scaphoid fractures, are easy to miss on the first X-ray.
What are the warning signs of a hand or finger fracture?
Pain and tenderness over one specific bone. Swelling and bruising, sometimes delayed by hours. A crooked finger or a sunken knuckle. Fingers that overlap when you make a fist. Pain in the hollow at the base of the thumb after a fall.
How is a hand or finger fracture treated?
X-rays come first, and a CT or MRI is sometimes added when a hidden scaphoid fracture is suspected. Stable, non-displaced fractures are usually treated with a splint, cast or buddy-taping, followed by hand therapy. Displaced or unstable fractures may be set and held with small pins, or repaired with plates and screws. Hand therapy typically starts as soon as the bone is stable enough for protected motion.
Who treats a hand or finger fracture near Southlake and Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dr. Pedro Loredo, a board-certified hand surgeon (General Surgery, American Board of Surgery; Hand Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery) at Loredo Hand Care Institute, 431 E State Hwy 114, Suite 380, Southlake, TX. New patients are seen within days. Call (972) 939-4974. Se habla español.
En español: ¿Solo un golpe o un hueso roto?
Una fractura es una ruptura en uno de los huesos de la mano, la muñeca o los dedos. Las caídas sobre la mano extendida, los deportes, los golpes directos y los aplastamientos son las causas habituales. Entre las más comunes están las fracturas de muñeca (radio distal), las del escafoides, un hueso pequeño de la muñeca cerca de la base del pulgar, la fractura del boxeador en el nudillo del meñique al golpear algo duro, y las fracturas de los huesos de los dedos. Algunas, sobre todo las del escafoides, pueden no verse en la primera radiografía.
Señales de alerta
- Dolor y sensibilidad sobre un hueso específico
- Hinchazón y moretones, a veces horas después
- Un dedo chueco o un nudillo hundido
- Dedos que se cruzan al cerrar el puño
- Dolor en el hueco de la base del pulgar después de una caída
Tratamiento
Primero se toman radiografías, y a veces se agrega una tomografía o resonancia cuando se sospecha una fractura oculta del escafoides. Las fracturas estables y sin desplazamiento normalmente se tratan con férula, yeso o sujetando el dedo al de al lado, seguido de terapia de mano. Las fracturas desplazadas o inestables pueden alinearse y sostenerse con clavos pequeños, o repararse con placas y tornillos. La terapia de mano suele empezar en cuanto el hueso está lo bastante estable para moverse con protección.
If this sounds like your hand
Call Loredo Hand Care Institute or start your forms online. New patients are seen within days; surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening. Se habla español.