Finger Fracture
Description
A fracture is a broken bone. The fingers are commonly fractured and the treatment needed is dependent on the severity of the fracture. If the broken bone punctures the skin (open fracture) antibiotics will be needed to prevent an infection of the bone (osteomyelitis). If there is a loss of alignment with the fracture the bones will be put back in place and splinted. Severe fractures may have an associated tendon, nerve or blood vessel injury. Sometimes surgery is needed to realign the bones and to place a screw or wire to stabilize the bones while they heal.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising of the skin, a crooked finger, pain with movement, numbness of the finger, inability to move the finger.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be done. An xray will confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Most fractures can be treated by splinting the finger. The common technique for splinting is to immobilize the finger with an aluminum splint and tape. Badly fractured fingers may need surgery to repair the bones, damaged tendons, nerves or blood vessels. Sometimes a wire or screw must be placed to stabilize the bone while it heals. OTC pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve) can be used. Narcotic pain medications may be prescribed as well including: hydocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lortab), tramadol and acetaminophen (Ultram), or oxycodone and acetaminophen (Endocet, Percocet). If the bone punctures the skin the injury will need to be cleaned very well and antibiotics may be given to prevent an infection.
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