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Hand Fracture - Signs, Causes, and Treatment
Hand Fracture - Signs, Causes, and Treatment
Since we rely so heavily on our hands for almost everything, fractures in the hands can occur as a result of trips and falls, falling objects, and other mishaps. Hand fracture can be minor or severe, affecting either the middle or the end of a bone. They can all be very painful and limit your ability to use your hands.
What is a hand fracture?
A hand fracture occurs when one of the hand’s bones breaks or cracks. This comprises:
- The finger’bones (phalanges)
- The metacarpal bones that make up the palm
- The wrist bones, that makes the junction with the forearm
A broken hand needs to be treated as soon as possible. Otherwise, your ability to perform daily tasks could be impacted if the bones don’t heal properly. Early intervention will also lessen discomfort and stiffness.
What are the probable causes of a hand fracture?
If you indulge in contact sports like football or hockey, a fall, a crush or twisting injury, or direct contact can result in a broken hand. Falling or receiving direct blows can result in this injury.
You can also suffer a hand fracture if you have a medical condition that causes your bones to thin out and become more brittle (osteoporosis); you may be more likely to break your hand. Moreover, hand bones can break in car accidents, sometimes in multiple pieces, and frequently need surgery to be repaired.
What are the symptoms of a hand fracture?
People frequently ponder whether their hand has broken or if it is merely sprained and will heal on its own.
It becomes easier for you to decide whether you require medical attention if you are aware of the symptoms and signs of hand fractures. However, an X-ray is the only reliable way to determine whether your hand is broken. Our doctor Prof Dr Robert Hierner, is a specialist hand surgeon in Dubai. He carries out precise diagnoses before deciding upon the line of treatment.
Below are some of the most typical signs of hand fractures:
- Pain and sensitivity
- Swelling
- Pain that worsens with movement or grasping
- tingling in the fingers
- incapable of moving a finger(s)
- Bruising
- Deformities (fingers bent at wrong angles, etc.)
It’s always a good idea to get your hand checked out if you suspect that it might be broken. Of course, it might just be a sprain. However, if a fracture is left untreated, it could eventually result in other issues.
Hand Fracture Treatment
Non-Surgical Treatment
Our doctor will gently try to move the bone fragments; if they move, he will place them back into place non-surgically and without making an incision. This procedure is known as ‘closed reduction,’ which is undertaken if a fracture does not line up in an acceptable position. For the duration of the healing process, the bones may be supported by a cast, splint, or brace.
You might need to wear the cast for three to six weeks, depending on the location and stability of the fracture. Some hand fracture types can be protected by donning a detachable splint or being “buddy strapped” to the adjacent healthy finger. As a “moving splint,” the healthy finger supports the injured finger. After three weeks, you can gradually start doing some light-hand exercises.
Our surgeon may order x-rays 1 to 2 weeks later to make sure that the bones are healing properly.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery may be necessary to realign and stabilize the fracture fragments in some hand fractures. For open fractures, where bone fragments have pierced the skin, surgery is frequently required.
To help realign the broken pieces of bone, our doctor might need to make an incision. The broken pieces of bone may be secured in place using small metal objects like wires, screws, pins, staples, and plates.
You might need to put on a cast or splint for a while after surgery to keep the fracture from spreading. Your finger may no longer function fully if the bone shifts during the healing process. When it is safe to start range-of-motion exercises and resume your regular activities after surgery, our doctor will discuss this with you.
Furthermore, in case of a distal radius fracture, our surgeon may keep the bone in place as it heals while using a variety of techniques, such as:
- Metal pins
- A cast plate, screws
- A structure or framework external stabilization
- Or a combination of the aforementioned strategies
The majority of hand fractures heal with good overall function when given the proper care. To ensure the best outcome, it’s critical to seek medical attention for a hand fracture as soon as you can. A hand fracture that is not treated right away becomes more difficult to care for and heals less successfully.
Consult Prof Dr Robert Hierner - A thorough hand expert in Dubai!
With 30 years of extensive experience in all forms of reconstructive surgeries, Prof. Dr. Robert Hierner is a renowned hand specialist in Dubai. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a solid track record of successfully managing numerous challenging cases. He stands out as a leading expert in hand and body contouring because of his distinctive style and attention to detail.
Schedule a consultation to determine the best course of treatment for your hand fracture.
