Finger injuries are one of the most common injuries. They can happen during sports, falls, workplace accidents, or everyday activities. With how often they happen, it is no surprise that finger injuries are often ignored. People believe that it is not serious and will heal on its own. While this can be true, sometimes a finger injury is actually a broken finger. This is a serious injury that requires professional medical attention. Prompt evaluation and treatment can help ensure proper healing and preserve hand function. Knowing the signs of a broken finger can help you know when a doctor is needed.
What Is a Broken Finger?
The medical term for a broken finger is a fractured finger. It is a crack or break in one of the finger bones. Finger fractures are caused by:
- Sports injuries.
- Falls.
- Crush injuries.
- Car accidents.
- Workplace accidents.
- Fingers caught in doors or machinery.
The reason there are so many causes of broken fingers is that the finger bones are small. Their size allows them to make subtle and dexterous movements, but it also makes them extremely fragile and prone to breaking.
Immediate Pain
The first sign of a broken finger is immediate pain when the injury occurs. This will not be a dull ache. Bone pain is some of the worst pain a person can experience. It is a sudden, sharp, and severe pain that feels like it is coming from deep inside the body. Furthermore, this pain will not subside as it will with less serious injuries. Instead, it is likely to get worse and increase with any movement or if anything touches the finger in question.
Swelling
The finger will likely swell up soon after the finger breaks. This will make the finger appear larger and it will be extremely difficult to bend it. This swelling occurs for two reasons. First, blood vessels inside the finger break, causing the site to be flooded with blood internally. Second, the body rushes fluid filled with white blood cells to the site to aid in healing.
Bruising or Discoloration
If a finger is broken, you are likely to see blue, purple, or dark discoloration around the injured area. These bruises will spread in the coming hours and even more over the coming days if treatment is not sought. The bruises will be extremely painful and tender to the touch.
Difficulty Moving the Finger
Your finger can make extremely dexterous movements. These movements are possible due to the way the tendons and bones in your finger work together. When the bone is broken, the entire system falls apart and can not do its job. This means that a broken finger is extremely difficult to move. Movement will be very slow, limited, and painful. If the finger is severely broken, movement may be completely impossible.
Finger Deformity
When the finger is broken, the bone inside can move out of place. This will make the finger appear crooked or out of alignment. Additionally, the finger can appear to be at an unusual angle or shorter than usual. The best way to see if there is a deformity is to compare the suspected broken finger to the same finger on the opposite hand.
Numbness or Tingling
The final sign of a broken finger is numbness or tingling. You may feel pins and needles in your finger. If the break is severe, you may have no feeling in your finger at all. If this symptom is present, medical attention becomes even more important. This is because numbness or tingling can be a sign that there is nerve damage, which can cause long-term issues if left untreated.
What to Do if You Suspect a Broken Finger
If you suspect a broken finger, there is only one thing to do: seek medical treatment. Find a hand specialist Boston residents rely on to give you an exam. They will be able to tell for sure whether or not your finger is in fact broken. If it is, they will be able to treat it properly and give you a treatment plan to ensure that your finger heals perfectly.
