A broken finger involves a fracture in one of the finger bones. The thumbs are comprised of 2 bones and the remaining digits have 3 bones. This is a common injury and likely to occur in accidents, sports injuries or a fall.
What are the indications of an injury?
A broken finger can cause inflammation in the affected finger that can trigger several symptoms. A broken finger might occur along with other injuries to the hand that can result to serious symptoms. Take note that these symptoms tend to vary in intensity in each case such as:
- Bleeding or bruising
Swelling of the soft tissues of the finger and even the hand is one of the indications of a broken finger. - Tenderness to the touch
- Warmth or redness
- Misalignment of the affected digit
- Pain in the finger and neighboring area
- Swelling of the soft tissues of the finger and even the hand
- Stiffness or difficulty in moving the finger
What are the causes of a broken finger?
A broken finger usually occurs from trauma to one or several finger bones. The common causes include the following:
- Sports injuries
- Falls
- Accidents
It is important to note that some underlying conditions such as osteoporosis increases the risk of the bones to fractures.
Management
The treatment for a broken finger is started with an assessment usually with an X-ray. If the injury is suspected, apply an ice pack on the area while seeking medical care.
A broken finger is usually managed using pain medications along with taping or splinting to allow the finger to heal. For open fractures or complex injuries, surgery is required to realign the bones. The chosen treatment is based on the type of injury and the number of bones affected. Devices such as splints, casts or pins might be utilized to secure the fractured bone in the proper position until it fully heals.
Over-the-counter analgesics are widely used as treatment for the injury. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can effectively relieve the pain and inflammation as well as the ensuing swelling from the injury.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on a broken finger is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to manage broken bones including the fingers, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Surrey, Winnipeg, Toronto, Red Deer, Ottawa and Halifax.