A broken finger is a bone fracture in at least one bony phalanx. The broken finger can only be moved to a limited extent. Healing can take several weeks, depending on the type of fracture. The doctor usually immobilizes the finger with a bandage or splint. However, surgery is required for complex fractures.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the symptoms, course and treatment as well as specialists for treating a finger fracture.
A finger fracture (medically known as a finger fracture ) is an injury to the bone of one or more fingers. Alongside wrist fractures (distal radius fracture), it is one of the most common bone fractures in the upper extremities (= hand and arm).
A broken finger hurts. Since sprains (strains) and contusions cause very similar pain, these types of injuries are difficult to distinguish from each other.
Other symptoms of a broken finger are swelling and bruising (hematoma). In addition, the affected person can only move the broken finger to a limited extent or not at all. The swelling usually occurs just a few minutes after the injury.
However, these symptoms also occur with sprains and other finger injuries. Doctors should therefore take an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
Here, the doctor can assess from several angles (medically: X-ray planes) whether it is a finger fracture or another injury.
In rare cases, even an X-ray cannot clearly distinguish between a finger contusion and a finger fracture. In these special cases, a computer tomography (CT) scan is necessary.
X-ray of a broken little finger on the left hand after a compound fracture @ Adrian /AdobeStock
For many people, normal everyday life is not possible without the use of their fingers. However, there is also a high risk of damaging these delicate bones.
Our hands are our first line of defense to prevent falls and dangers. 50 percent of finger fractures therefore occur at work, with manual trades being particularly at risk.
The following risk situations should be mentioned:
There are many causes of finger fractures . External mechanical forces play an important role. A broken finger can be caused by dislocated finger joints.
Broken fingers are common in sports injuries, for example. In ball sports, for example, there is a risk of breaking your finger when the ball hits you, and a collision with an opposing player can also result in a broken finger.
A fall on the hand can also break the finger. This is particularly true if the finger sticks out to the side or back when falling.
There are also many sources of danger in the home. Doors are particularly dangerous for children, as they are often unaware that they are swinging. This often leads to bruises and the like. But boxes, garbage can lids and toilet seats are also strong enough to break a small bone.
Drivers can break their fingers, especially in a car accident. Even collisions at low speeds can put a lot of strain on the bones. The position of the hand on the steering wheel is crucial for a fracture. Therefore, always hold the steering wheel with your whole hand.
With increasing age and a diminishing sense of balance, many older people have an increased risk of falling. The inner ear changes with age and this can lead to dizziness. Falls often result in injuries to the hands and fingers.
Fractures to the fingers are more common in ball sports @ Christian Schwier /AdobeStock
A broken finger causes severe pain, leads to swelling and restricts movement. In some cases, deformities or deep wounds that extend to the bone or into the joint are also possible.
Doctors typically take an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis if a finger fracture is suspected. With the help of an X-ray, the doctor can determine the type of fracture and determine the treatment.
As there are different types of fractures, an exact diagnosis of the type of finger fracture is essential.
Can an X-ray show every finger fracture?
The bones of the fingers are small. Therefore, several x-rays are necessary. An X-ray of the healthy hand may also be necessary or helpful for comparison.
Computed tomography (CT) is generally only used for very complex fractures. CT is more accurate than X-rays. The disadvantage of this technology, which should not be underestimated, is the significantly higher radiation exposure.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be useful for diagnosing broken bones. The advantage of this examination is that there is no radiation exposure.
This examination technique works without X-rays. Instead, magnetic fields are used. This makes it possible to visualize neighboring blood vessels and cartilaginous structures.
If there is no fracture, it may also be a bruised finger. This can also be very painful. The bone is uninjured and healing is usually much faster.
The aim of treatment for a simple broken finger is to allow it to grow back together as quickly as possible. The finger can then move freely again. After the examination and x-ray, the doctor decides which treatment is right for the patient.
There are basically two ways to treat broken fingers:
Conservative treatment involves the use of plaster casts and splints. For simple fractures, it is sufficient to fix the broken finger to the adjacent finger with adhesive tape. This form of treatment is often used for simple fractures of the little finger.
Surgical treatment may be necessary for complex fractures, malpositions and displacement of the bone ends. This also applies to open fractures if the skin is damaged and the broken bone ends are exposed.
Doctors use wires or screws or small metal plates to firmly connect the ends of the bones together and stabilize them. This makes it very unlikely that the broken fingers will heal incorrectly and become misaligned.
What is the most common treatment?
Many broken fingers heal well with conservative treatment methods and result in satisfactory function of the finger. Doctors usually decide on the type of treatment on the basis of a normal X-ray.
In the case of a slightly dislocated fracture without significant joint damage, conservative treatment is used. However, a further examination may be necessary to assess the soft tissues and joints, preferably an MRI. The aim of treatment is to allow the fracture to heal in its natural and anatomical position.
A broken finger heals completely and without consequences if prompt medical treatment is provided. General practitioners are responsible , in special cases trauma surgeons or hand surgeons.
The duration of wearing a splint or plaster cast depends primarily on the type of fracture:
A simple broken finger heals on average in three to four weeks.
Multiple broken fingers involving the carpus or forearm bone take longer, usually 6 to 10 weeks.
Open fractures with additional skin wounds and visible bone parts and broken finger joints also take longer to heal.
Nevertheless, it is important to be patient, even if it is difficult. However, too early weight-bearing and too short an immobilization period jeopardize the healing process. This can lead to incorrect healing with a skewed position.
In rare cases, the bone does not heal and is unstable. In medical terms, this is referred to as pseudarthrosis, which means a false joint.
The unhealed fractures remain mobile and form a type of joint that is not desired. This requires an operation.
The exact prognosis of a finger fracture depends on
With correct therapy and consistent immobilization, the prognosis is good. The hand is fully functional again once the fracture has healed.
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