Tell if your thumb is broken or just jammed
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Broken fingers are frequently the result of a fall onto an outstretched hand or due to a collision during a sports activity. Of the bones children often fracture, broken fingers are some of the most common. A cast up to the elbow is typical for a broken finger, because it is the most effective way to promote healing.Ĭhildren are at a higher risk for breaking bones than adults, simply because children tend to be more active. Broken fingers are a frequent childhood injury, and, most of the time, they heal without any long-term problems. Why is such a huge cast necessary for a broken finger? Did we make it worse by waiting to take him in?ĪNSWER: It’s unlikely that waiting a few days to see a doctor for your son’s broken finger changed the outcome of his treatment. They put a cast on his entire hand - all the way up to his elbow. After four days, the swelling didn’t go down, and we took him to the doctor and found out it was broken. Some orthopedists offer walk-in clinics to assess sports-related injuries.DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My son injured his index finger, but didn’t complain much and even played in a basketball game the next day, so we assumed it was fine. If a person’s symptoms continue to get worse instead of better, they should see their family doctor or a doctor that specializes in the skeletal system called an orthopedist.
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the person cannot fully straighten the finger.the finger starts hurting more instead of less over time.the finger becomes significantly swollen.they develop a fever following the injury.These are signs that there is not enough blood flowing to the area.Ī person should see their doctor as quickly as possible when: Instead, they should see their doctor to examine and treat the injury.Ī person should seek immediate medical attention if the finger starts to feel numb and turns white or very pale. If a person injures their finger and it appears crooked, they should not attempt to straighten it themselves. Share on Pinterest A finger that has been injured and appears crooked should be assessed by a doctor. Taking over-the-counter pain relief medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can also help reduce pain and inflammation. Resting the hand on a pillow where the elbow is lower than the hand can help reduce swelling and pain. However, do not bind the finger so tightly that circulation is affected. Splinting or wrapping the finger can help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Keep the ice on the finger for 10–15 minutes at a time. Applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the injured finger can help reduce inflammation and redness. Resting and avoiding using the hand as much as possible will protect the finger. A range of finger splints is available for purchase online here. Wearing a splint or buddy wrap can help to make the finger less vulnerable to injury. There is a useful at-home treatment for jammed fingers known as PRICE. Buddy wrapping helps to stabilize the injured finger. Doctors commonly treat a jammed finger with a splint, which is a brace that keeps the finger straight and stable while the damaged ligaments heal.Īnother option is known as buddy taping or wrapping, where the injured finger is taped securely to a non-injured finger for support.