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A broken hand can be caused by a fall, crush injury, twisting injury, or through direct contact in sports. In most cases, a hand fracture will heal well with nonsurgical treatment. Depending on the type and location of the fracture, this may include wearing a cast, splint or buddy straps for a period of time.
Do you need a cast for a broken hand?
Immobilization. Restricting the movement of a broken bone in your hand is critical to proper healing. To do this, you’ll likely need a splint or a cast. You’ll be advised to keep your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain.
Can a broken hand heal without cast?
Technically speaking, the answer to the question “can broken bones heal without a cast?” is yes. Assuming conditions are just right, a broken bone can heal without a cast. However, (and very importantly) it doesn’t work in all cases. Likewise, a broken bone left to heal without a cast may heal improperly.
How do I know if my hand is fractured?
A broken hand might cause these signs and symptoms: Severe pain that might worsen when gripping or squeezing or moving your hand. Swelling. Tenderness. Bruising. Obvious deformity, such as a crooked finger. Stiffness or inability to move your fingers or thumb. Numbness in your hand or fingers.
Do you plaster a broken hand?
The broken bone must be properly aligned and held in place, often with a plaster cast, so it heals in the correct position. If you do not receive the correct treatment, you could develop a serious infection or a permanent deformity. You may also have long-term problems with your joints.
How long does a broken hand need a cast?
Depending on the location and stability of the fracture, you may have to wear the cast for 3 to 6 weeks. Some types of fractures can be protected by wearing a removable splint or by being “buddy strapped” to an adjacent non-injured finger.
Is my hand broken or just bruised?
When to seek medical assistance: You should see a doctor immediately if you think your hand is broken. Some common signs and symptoms of a hand fracture include: a bone in your hand is visibly bent or deformed. your hand is bruised, tender, and swollen.
What does a hand fracture feel like?
Fractured hand symptoms involving the metacarpals include pain, swelling, general tenderness along the site of the injury, and bruising. These metacarpal fractures symptoms may be more pronounced as the patient makes a fist or even loosely grips items.
What happens if a fracture is left untreated?
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
Can bones move in a cast?
A cast, which keeps a bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers — a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving.
Can you bruise a bone in hand?
But bones and muscles can also get bruised. This may damage the hand but not cause a bruise that you can see. Most bruises aren’t serious and will go away on their own in 2 to 4 weeks. But sometimes a more serious hand injury might not heal on its own.
What is a hairline fracture in hand?
A hairline fracture, also known as a stress fracture, is a small crack or severe bruise within a bone. This injury is most common in athletes, especially athletes of sports that involve running and jumping. People with osteoporosis can also develop hairline fractures.
What should you do if you fall on your hand?
You can apply a covered ice pack or bag of frozen food on the bruised part of your hand for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to help reduce pain. Anti-inflammatory pills may also help ease symptoms. In cases of hard falls, bruises may be more severe and affect muscle and bone in addition to skin.
What is worse a fracture or a break?
There’s no difference between a fracture and a break. A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity—whether it’s a hairline crack barely recognizable on an X-ray or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces—it’s considered a fracture.
Do they cast a broken knuckle?
Recovering from a broken knuckle can be challenging. You might not have full use of the affected hand and fingers for a while. You might have to wear a cast or a splint for several weeks. A doctor might take more X-rays after two or three weeks in order to ensure your knuckle is healing properly.
What happens when you fall on your hand?
Injuries You May Suffer if You Landed on Your Hand After a Fall. Your hand contains over two dozen bones and many more ligaments, any one of which can be broken or torn as a result of bracing a fall. The most common fractures victims may suffer when landing on their outstretched hands include: Broken hand.
What does the hospital do for a broken hand?
Treatment for a broken arm or wrist When you get to hospital the affected arm will be placed in a splint to support it and stop any broken bones from moving out of position. You will also be given painkilling medicines for the pain. An X-ray is then used to see if there is a break and how bad that break is.
Can you move your fingers with a broken wrist?
Some people can still move or use the hand or wrist even if there is a broken bone. Swelling or a bone out of place can make the wrist appear deformed. There is often pain right around the break and with finger movement. Sometimes the fingers tingle or feel numb at the tips.
How long does broken hand take to heal?
Usually, it is for about 3 weeks. Most fractures heal well. After healing, your knuckle may look different or your finger may move in a different way when you close your hand. Some fractures require surgery.
