How to understand that a broken finger

What can lead to a broken finger

The thumbs on the hands and feet consist of two phalanges, and all the others - of three. Any of these bones can break. For example, from falling a heavy object, being pinched by a door, or hitting the edge of a nightstand. It is not necessary to drop a weight on your foot or hit your finger with a hammer - even an unsuccessful landing when jumping from a height can lead to a fracture.

Chance to break bones increases1. Broken Finger / Cleveland Clinic
2. Fracture Risk Factors / American Bone Health in the presence of certain diseases and bad habits. Among the risk factors:

• crayfish;
• type 1 diabetes;
• celiac disease;
• Crohn's disease;
• ulcerative colitis;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• osteoporosis;
• calcium deficiency;
• excessive alcohol consumption;
• smoking;
• taking corticosteroids - anti-inflammatory drugs.

How to understand that a broken finger

The most obvious sign that may indicate a fracture is severe and throbbing pain that increases with movement of the injured finger and does not subside with time.

Other common symptoms include1. Suspect a Broken Toe? How To Tell - and What Not To Do / Cleveland Clinic
2. Broken Finger / Cleveland Clinic:

• change in the shape of the finger or its position relative to others;
• a hematoma that can cover a broken finger, spread to others, and go to the foot or hand;
• numbness;
• flexion problems;
• edema;
• if we are talking about the leg - the inability to transfer the weight of the body to the injured limb.

In this case, the person will not necessarily lose the ability to move the finger, and the resulting pain may seem tolerable. If the injured limb has not changed its position and shape, without radiography it will not be possible to distinguish a fracture from a severe bruise.

Therefore, if pain and swelling persist for 1-2 days, be sure to go to a traumatologist. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance that the bones will grow together correctly and there will be no problems with the mobility of the finger.

Do's and Don'ts Before Seeing a Doctor

Before you get to an appointment with a traumatologist, you need to immobilize the injured finger if possible. If a leg fracture - take off your shoes, lie down and place the limb above the level of the head. This will ensure the outflow of blood and reduce pain and swelling.

You can also apply an ice pack for 15-20 minutes for local anesthesia. But keep in mind that this procedure only helps to relieve symptoms and does not promote healing. While waiting for a trip to the emergency room, you can also take an anesthetic pill.

If your toe is injured, do not go to the hospital on foot - this can lead to displacement of bone fragments. In addition, do not try to immobilize the finger yourself, for example, by wrapping it with a band-aid or sports tape to the next one. This can cause tension and displacement of bone fragments, which will only exacerbate the problem.

What happens if you don't see a doctor

In some cases, for the correct union of the fracture neededBroken Finger / Cleveland Clinic operation. For example, if:

• damaged joint;
• a fragment of the bone to which the tendon was attached came off;
• the bone is shattered into several fragments;
• damaged ligaments or tendons;
• bone fragments are unstable and it will not be possible to securely fix them with a bandage.

Since it is impossible to determine the type of fracture by eye, refusing medical attention increases the risk of malunion and loss of joint functionality.

Eventually finger may look crooked (as in the photo above) and either not bend at all, or do it not in full range.