Causes and risk factors
Finger fractures are commonly seen in sports such as volleyball, fingers getting impacted in the process of catching a ball, injury to the hand or fingers getting stuck in between doors or windows with great impact, etc. Commonly seen in children as their bones are more fragile, hence prone to easy injury.
Clinical presentation:
As pain is the prior symptom for any fracture, hence along with this a visible deformity can be noticed of the fingers followed by bruising, swelling, tenderness and inability to move the involved finger.
Investigations:
Diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the physical examination carried out by the orthopedic doctor. Investigations which are done are x-ray of the bone. Usually routine x-rays or specialized digital x-rays are performed to compare the injured finger with the non-injured finger and this can be done by performing x-rays of both the hands.
Treatment:
Rest and restriction of movement needs to be adopted with use of a splint or cast for about 3 weeks. The treatment is decided depending upon the severity and intensity of the injury occurred. Analgesic or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are advised by the orthopedic doctor to help alleviate the pains. If the injury is major, it can be treated with surgical interventions with the help of pins and screws to help hold back the fractured finger. Physiotherapy exercises too can be performed under the guidance of a physiotherapist to reduce the stiffness of the affected finger.
