Ask the Hand Doctor:
How Can I Tell If My Finger Is Broken?

During the new reality of social distancing, working-at-home, home schooling, and stir-crazy kids, the risk of breaking a finger is just as real as ever. But, the flip side to that is no one wants to risk going out to a doctor or emergency room if it isn’t necessary! So, how do you know if your finger is broken and needs treatment – or can safely be treated at home?

Broken fingers are one of the most common injuries that hand doctors see almost every day. Any sharp blow to the finger – a pop fly ball, rough-housing siblings, a hammer blow while working on home repairs, or tripping and landing on the hand incorrectly – can cause a finger fracture. In this article, Clarkston, MI area hand specialist Doctor Uzma Rehman gives some tips on determining if a finger is broken.

What Are the Signs of a Broken Finger?

The hand is comprised of many bones, and each finger in the hand is made up of three small bones called phalanges. Though durable, these bones are very small, so damage can often occur to any one of these bones.

Typical symptoms of a broken finger are immediate pain with swelling and bruising. It will be difficult to move the finger, and the finger may appear deformed if the joint is dislocated or the bone is displaced. Numbness and tingling may also be present if nerve damage has occurred.

In some cases if the finger bone is severely broken, the bone is visible through the skin. Obviously a trip to the Emergency Room is required immediately in this situation.

However, serious problems with infections or bones that heal out of alignment can occur with any finger break if it is not treated immediately. Unfortunately, broken fingers can be difficult for the lay person to differentiate from a serious sprain or strain, especially in children. An X-Ray is the best diagnostic tool to determine whether a break has occurred.

How Do Hand Doctors Treat Broken Fingers?

Once diagnosed, treatment usually consists of realigning the bones and splinting or casting to immobilize the area for several weeks for the bones to knit back together. If the break is in multiple locations, or very severe, surgery may be required.

Initially the hand doctor may also recommend keeping the hand elevated above the heart to reduce swelling, as well as icing the area for 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a day until the pain is gone. Depending on the age of the individual with the broken finger, over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed to reduce swelling and pain.

Once the cast or splint is removed and the phalange (broken finger bone) has healed, stiffness and immobility may be present. Our specially-trained Occupational Therapists (Hand Therapists), will create a treatment program including exercises, stretching and other modalities to assist you in regaining full range of motion and strength in the hand.

Faithful performance of the physical therapy exercises, using the proper alignment, will result in the fastest outcome and ensure that your regain full use of your hand after having a broken finger or fingers.

Best Clarkston Area Hand Doctor

Remember, we rely on our hands for everything we do! Injuries to the fingers that aren’t treated properly by a hand doctor can have long-term effects, including permanent disfigurement and immobility and even loss of use of the finger(s). Most broken fingers heal well when treated by a specialized hand doctor like Dr. Rehman, who understands the complexities involved in repairing damage to the hand.

If you think you may have a broken finger or other injury or problem of the fingers, hand, arm, wrist or elbow, contact board certified hand surgeon Doctor Rehman. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of conditions like a broken finger.

Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.

Best Clarkston MI Area Hand Doctor: 248.335.2638