What Causes a Hand Fracture?
The hand contains many bones that serve as attachment points for muscles controlling finger and wrist movement. Accidents, falls, or impacts with sufficient force can break these bones, resulting in swelling, stiffness, pain, and limited hand function. Some fractures may cause permanent deformity like crooked fingers, though many do not.
Types of Fractures
Fractures range from simple breaks where bone pieces remain aligned to major fractures where fragments shift or move. They can occur along the bone shaft or at joint surfaces. A compound or open fracture involves bone protruding through the skin, increasing infection risk. Comminuted fractures result from high-impact trauma and are typically unstable.
Do You Need Surgery?
Doctors perform physical examinations looking for bruising, swelling, joint stability issues, deformity, nerve damage symptoms, finger overlap, limited movement, and lacerations. Tendon function and joint stability near the fracture are tested, and X-rays identify the fracture’s extent and location.
Non-Surgical Treatment
When bones are misaligned, doctors perform a “closed reduction”, gently repositioning fragments without incisions. A brace, splint, or cast then maintains alignment during healing, typically worn for three to six weeks depending on fracture severity and location.
Surgical Treatment
Open fractures and severely unstable breaks require surgery. Doctors make incisions to reposition fragments and use metal devices like plates, screws, pins, or wires for stabilization. Post-surgical casts protect the healing fracture, and range-of-motion exercises may be recommended if bone position shifts.
