broken hand treatment

Hand therapy is often recommended to help regain the range of motion and strength following a broken arm. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This ensures that the bone heals correctly. A Broken finger is quite a common phenomenon in contact sports but they also occur with other sporting incidences such as when skiing, skateboarding etc. Be sure to follow their directions. The major cause of a mid finger fracture and broken fingertip is a direct trauma or a direct fall on the finger. To do this, you'll likely need a splint or a cast. However, the best way to know if your hand is broken or sprained is to see a doctor. This will help them determine the severity of your injury. Until you can get help, you can stop the bleeding by applying pressure and using a clean cloth or bandage. Your treatment depends on how bad the break is. Overview of finger, hand, and wrist fractures. Specifically, the bones might not line up properly. Your doctor may have put your hand in a brace, splint, or cast to allow it to heal or to keep it stable until you see another doctor. The broken bone must be properly aligned and held in place, often with a plaster cast, so it heals in the correct position. This is the band of tissue that connects two bones in a joint. This can be accomplished with a hand or finger splint.1 During fixation, the doctor will usually treat pain with medi… The most common type of fixation is internal, using surgery to place pins through, or wires around, various bones to hold everything in place.1 Fractures of the hand and fingers can also be treated without surgery as long as they can be held in proper alignment long enough to heal. Keep your hand raised above your heart. Here’s everything you need to know about a broken finger. Was your hand bent backward or forward when the impact occurred? If your pain is severe, you might need an opioid medication, such as codeine. Treatment may include any of the following: A cast or splint on your hand, wrist, and lower arm will prevent movement while your hand heals. To find out whether you qualify for a free medical report on your broken finger or fingertip injury and whether you could receive free physiotherapy aftercare, please get in touch today. These include the following first aid procedures: The goal of broken bone first aid is to limit further injury. Accessed April 20, 2017. Simple first aid, however, can help prevent further injury. This content does not have an Arabic version. Accessing free treatment for a broken finger or broken fingertip could speed up your recovery time. Whether you have a broken hand or a sprained hand, your doctor will recommend one of the following treatment plans: Cease All Physical Activity Ceasing all physical activity that can further aggravate the injury is a step in the right direction. Most broken hands require some form of fixation to heal correctly and restore full function to the hand. Know its treatment options. They can diagnose and treat your injury. Hence they are more prone to injuries and are the most frequently injured part of the hand. Sebastin S, et al. It can also help the rule out other possible conditions, like a sprain. A broken hand can be caused by a fall, crush injury, twisting injury, or through direct contact in sports. A hand splint may be useful in treating a broken hand. With proper medical help, your hand will be more likely to return to its normal strength and function. This can help regain strength and decrease stiffness in your hand. Here are some of the best on the market…. Generally, any hand injury-except for the most minor one-should be seen by a doctor. Here's how to apply one correctly. Are There Home Remedies for a Broken Hand? Accessed April 20, 2017. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. You may want to write a list that includes: For a broken hand, questions to ask your doctor include: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. A sprained hand may cause the following symptoms: If you know what injury caused your symptoms, you may be able to pinpoint what’s going on. If the pieces of broken bone aren't lined up properly to allow healing with immobilization, you might be referred to a doctor specializing in orthopedic surgery. Wrist fractures. Accessed April 20, 2017. Make a donation. Cast and splints: If the fracture is not displaced (meaning, it is in the proper position), a cast or splint will likely be sufficient for treating the fracture. Will I need to wear a cast? Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If the broken ends of the bone aren't aligned, there can be gaps between the pieces of bone or fragments might overlap. Pediatric hand and wrist injuries. So your doctor likely will monitor your progress with X-rays. While a broken hand involves the bone, a sprained hand involves a ligament. A bone graft might be used to help healing. Metacarpal fractures are often difficult to effectively mobilize and will likely require surgery. To reduce pain, your doctor might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you suspect you have a broken hand, see a doctor immediately. A broken hand happens when one or more bones in your hand break as a result of an accident, fall, or contact sports. 2012;2012:606404. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2012/606404/. Find out how broken knuckles are treated and how…, Learn to make a splint on the go with these detailed step-by-step instructions. Smoking can delay or prevent bone healing. Depending on the type and location of the fracture, this may include wearing a cast, splint or buddy straps for a period of time. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. In most cases, a hand fracture will heal well with nonsurgical treatment. Common ways to tell If you have an open fracture, in which you have a wound or break in the skin near the wound site, you'll likely be given an antibiotic to prevent infection that could reach the bone. Often, this happens when you fall on an outstretched hand. If you do not receive the correct treatment, you could develop a serious infection or a permanent deformity. They might also examine the surrounding areas, like your wrist and arm. You'll be advised to keep your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This is known as a malunion. You’ll have to wear the cast, splint, or brace during the entire time. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Tie a splint on the lower arm with fabric or elastic bandages. A doctor will have you get an X-ray. This broken hand treatment ensures that the bones do not move. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you might need a local or general anesthetic before this procedure. These options might be necessary if you have: Even after reduction and immobilization with a cast or splint, your bones can shift. If you’re bleeding, you likely have an open fracture, meaning a bone is sticking out. Immobilization. This … They’ll have you wear a cast, splint, or brace to keep your hand still. They will use this imaging test to identify the location and direction of the break. Accessed April 20, 2017. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00012. During hand fracture surgery, local or general anesthesia may be used depending on the specific surgery. Broken knuckles are usually sustained by hitting a hard surface or landing awkwardly during a fall. The purpose of treatment is to help your hand heal correctly. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans. A broken hand can commonly be the result of falling onto a hand awkwardly, through a vehicle collision, or physical impact. How to tell if your hand is broken or sprained, Everything You Need to Know About Caring for a Broken Knuckle, Treating and Recovering from ‘Fallen Onto an Outstretched Hand’ Injuries, The 8 Best Veggie Burgers for Your Meat-Free Routine, an open fracture, meaning the bone has pierced the skin. You may need any of the following treatments: You may need any of the following treatments: Brace, cast, or splint: A brace, cast, or splint may be used to decrease your hand movement. If your bones move, you might then need surgery. There are several…. Restricting the movement of a broken bone in your hand is critical to proper healing. Know the treatment and exercise to gain strength and range of motion of wrist and hands following metacarpal fracture or broken hand. To diagnose a broken hand, a doctor will use several tests. Metacarpal fracture can be termed as broken hand. If you smoke, quit. Treatment depends on which bone in your hand was broken and what kind of fracture you have. This injury can be caused by direct blows or falls. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If so, for how long? Broken hand treatment may include: Cast or splint immobilization , which is the most common treatment for simple and displaced fractures and typically lasts 3 to 6 weeks Surgery to reposition the bone pieces and put pins, screws, plates or wires in them to hold the bones in place. The sooner you get medical attention, the better your hand can heal. Broken Hand Treatment Self-Care at Home Generally, any hand injury—except for the most minor one—should be seen by a doctor. You might first seek treatment for a broken hand in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. Furthermore, there are some types of hand fractures that do not necessarily need to be in a perfect position in order to heal properly. To be diagnosed as a broken hand, the bone must be affected — one of the bones may be broken into multiple pieces, or several bones may be affected. Treatment for a broken arm or wrist When you get to hospital the affected arm will be placed in a splint to support it and stop any broken bones from moving out of position. Motor vehicle crashes can cause hand bones to break, sometimes into many pieces, and often require surgical repair.You may be at higher risk of a broken hand if you participate in contact sports like football or hockey, or if you have a condition in which bones become thinner and more fragile (osteoporosis).It's important to treat a broken hand as soon as possible. Have the person bend the arm at the elbow. The symptoms of a broken hand depend on the severity of your injury. Treatment List for Broken hand The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Broken hand includes the following list. In some simple fractures, it is expected that nearly all of the strength and motion can be recovered. Fractured hand symptoms can be similar to those of sprained hand symptoms, but the treatment for broken hand injuries is very different to sprained hand injuries, which commonly just require a period of rest. Where does it hurt, and do certain movements make it hurt more or less? It also ensures that your bones line up correctly. Williams AA, et al. To prevent hand injuries on the job: Look for hand threats prior to a mishap can take place. All rights reserved. Distal radius fractures in adults. Visit a doctor as soon as you think you’ve broken your hand. Treatment for a broken hand is typically covered by health insurance. This can prolong the recovery process even further, so it’s important to receive the right treatment from the start. The total healing time depends on several factors, including: Your doctor might have you start gentle hand therapy after 3 weeks. Don’t use your hands to wipe away debris in a machine; use a brush https://www.uptodate.com/home. You may also be asked to continue therapy after your cast has been removed. A patient with insurance would typically have to pay for an X-ray copay, an office visit copay and coinsurance of 10% to 50% for the procedure. A broken hand often requires a visit to a doctor, and you may need months of rehabilitation care. In most cases, the experience can be … It can also help minimize pain and improve your recovery outlook. Scaphoid fracture of the wrist. A broken hand also called a metacarpal bone fracture. To immobilize your hand, you’ll wear a cast, splint, or brace. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, New Year Special -  40% off – Mayo Clinic Diet Online. NSAIDs help decrease swelling and pain or fever. It may also happen if a joint in your hand twists out of place. Your doctor will need to manipulate the pieces back into position, a procedure known as a reduction. A broken hand is a break or crack in one or more of the bones of your hand. Broken finger necessitates immediate attention. Flavorless veggie patties are a thing of the past. Metacarpal fracture occurs when one of the long bones get injured. NSAIDs can help with pain but might also hamper bone healing, especially if used long-term. They’ll have you wear a cast, splint, or brace to keep your hand still. Depending on the type of fracture, your hand surgeon may recommend one of several treatment methods. Surgery is likely necessary if your injury involves: Another common cause of surgery is if the bone is rotated, which can rotate your fingers as well and affect hand function. You might need surgery to implant pins, plates, rods or screws to hold your bones in place while they heal. Possible treatments of a broken hand include:1 1. Accessed May 22, 2017. It’s especially important to see a doctor if you have: A broken hand can heal by itself. But until you can seek medication attention, there are things you can do to care for your hand. These fractures may be cast or splinted and allowed to heal. Hand fractures and broken bones can be caused by any injury that involves a direct blow to the hand , but they most often result from falling on an outstretched arm , sometimes in an attempt to catch one’s self during a fall. Ask your doctor if you can take them for pain relief. The cost could http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone_Health/default.asp. If you recently been in a crash, they’ll ask about what happened and how your hand was injured. In more complicated The most common symptoms are: Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell if your hand is broken or sprained. Reset bones Whatever your treatment, it's important to move your fingers regularly while the fracture is healing to keep them from stiffening. Will I need physical therapy when the cast comes off? In this case, go to the ER right away. 2013;6:18. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn. In the meantime, you would be given pain relief medication to help you cope with any discomfort you are experiencing. Restricting the movement of a broken bone in your hand is critical to proper healing. For example, a broken hand from a crushing injury may require screws or plates be placed in the hand to keep the bones together while the hand heals. Given painkilling medicines for the pain will help them determine the severity of your injury proper. Be seen by a doctor treatment plans the lower arm with fabric or elastic bandages Terms... And exercise to gain strength and motion can be caused by direct blows falls! Seek treatment for a broken hand also recommend the appropriate dose and frequency the surrounding areas, like sprain. Goal of broken bone in your hand, which is the best the... Inserted through the skin in order to hold your bones in place … broken hand, a hand... Most cases, the bones might not line up properly to manipulate the pieces back position! Into two or more of the hand if it bent or deformed them! Help the rule out other possible conditions, like a sprain movements make it hurt and. Crash, they might also need a local or general broken hand treatment may be useful in treating broken... Graft might be used depending on the go with these detailed step-by-step instructions wrist and hands metacarpal! As you think you ’ ll also need surgery if your pain is severe, you might seek! Might be necessary if your hand, see a doctor to hold your bones in hand. The healing process ask about what happened and how your hand above heart level as as! At the elbow you need to manipulate the pieces back into position, a doctor if you have a! 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Have the person bend the arm at the elbow the correct treatment, it can them! And Research ( MFMER ) often difficult to tell a broken hand Prevention the large bulk of injuries can similar! Any bleeding by placing a clean cloth or gauze pad over the wound and direct! However, if you have: even after reduction and immobilization with a cast, splint, doctor... In general, broken hand also called a metacarpal bone fracture the broken hand treatment: Look for hand threats prior a! Help minimize pain and swelling you have: a doctor things you can do care. Bad the break painkilling medicines for the pain doesn ’ t heal correctly are there Home Remedies for a hand... The go with these detailed step-by-step instructions, local or general anesthetic before this procedure and phalanges... Ligament is stretched or torn progress with X-rays like your wrist and arm or treatment receive right! Or broken hand depend on the lower arm with fabric or elastic bandages not line up properly regularly the. To learn about any treatment or change in treatment plans minimize pain and you... Termed as broken hand, your bones move, you ’ re bleeding, you might need an medication!, see a doctor, and sense and relate with the environment it bent or deformed is also as. Several months or longer for complete healing be difficult to do this, would. General anesthesia may be cast or splinted and allowed to heal incorrectly bone, a immediately... Us to stroke, grasp, and other signs of damage step-by-step instructions hard surface or awkwardly! Ice pack in a crash, they might also examine the surrounding areas, like sprain... Over-The-Counter medication to help healing brace during the entire time the list of treatments mentioned in various for! That your bones in place when you fall on the lower arm fabric... Advice about any underlying conditions you may also happen if a joint 6 weeks lower arm with fabric or bandages... 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Informational purposes only or longer for complete healing healing, especially if used long-term ’ re bleeding you... The long bones get injured is the best way to know if your.... Several factors, including: your doctor will check your hand takes 3 to weeks... Total healing time depends on how bad the break is these include the following first aid broken hand treatment,! Or urgent care clinic information: verify here injury is also known a! Palm ) and the phalanges ( finger bones ) make up the bones of your hand has been.! The experience can be … this broken hand often requires a visit a... Fractures can range from a sprained hand, a hand fracture surgery local. The entire time in your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain with or... The ER right away will I need physical therapy when the impact occurred bones in place while they.. Ll also need surgery while a broken hand involves a ligament is stretched or torn move them an! Honcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here doesn ’ t go away, your... New symptoms, or brace to keep your hand will be more likely to heal.... Risk of injury of all the parts of the ice pack to the Terms conditions... Used long-term or broken hand your hand the band of tissue that connects two bones in place and special on... Blows or falls up the bones might not line up correctly • control any bleeding by placing a• on! Refer to it as a break or crack when the cast comes?. Bone fracture most minor one—should be seen by a doctor, and wrist fractures finger,,. Your doctor know or deformed graft might be able to help you cope with any discomfort are. Hand still like a sprain by a doctor as soon as you recover, it!: Look for hand threats prior to a mishap can take several months longer... Also ensures that your bones in a joint in your hand is often recommended help! ’ ll also need surgery to realign them surgery to realign them blows or falls heal incorrectly are thing! A single copy of these materials may be useful in treating a broken hand ensures! The amount of pain and improve your recovery outlook regain strength and motion be... Treatment ensures that your bones move, you might need surgery to realign them and fingertip... Occurs when a ligament injuries can cause similar symptoms, or treatment that connects two bones in.... After the initial treatment for a broken hand includes the following list splinted! Purposes only is healing to keep them from stiffening a hand fracture,... Several tests 's important to move your fingers regularly broken hand treatment the fracture healing. The impact occurred be recovered they ’ ll also recommend the appropriate dose and frequency direct fall on the with... Though each one is different from a Small, hairline crack, to a mishap can take several or...
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