1. Hands Have Many Bones to Get Broken
There are eight carpal bones--the scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate--and five metacarpals. Each finger has three phalanges (proximal, middle and distal phalanx), except the thumb, which only has two (proximal and distal). This gives us a grand total of 27. This does not include a few smaller sesamoid bones that may be found in the hand. Sesamoids are bones which are found within the substance of a tendon. The thumb pretty consistently has two, right where the finger meets the palm. The other fingers may have one or two, but inconsistently.
2. Hand Fractures Are Common Injuries
Since we are constantly using our hands, it makes sense that hand fractures are fairly common. Hitting your hand against something, getting a finger caught in something, having something heavy fall on your hand, slamming a finger or hand in a door, cutting it accidentally with a saw--these are all common mechanisms of injury.
3. Seek Medical Attention for Suspected Fractures
The first line of treatment is to immobilize the body part. If it is a finger, a finger splint will do the trick. These are usually made out of aluminum and foam. In a pinch, you could probably make your own with Popsicle sticks and tape to keep the bones from moving around. Just remember that the finger will likely swell so you don't want to wrap it too tight, or you may affect the circulation. Either way, you will want to see a doctor and have X-rays taken. Other fractures should be splinted so that the wrist does not move.
4. Most Fractures Heal Without Surgery
Some finger fractures will heal with simple buddy taping, where the fractured finger is taped to the adjacent ("buddy") finger to act as a splint. These take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Other fractures may need a cast to hold the bones in place while they are healing. Sometimes the doctor will need to set the bone before putting the cast on. A cast for a hand fracture is typically a short one that ends below the elbow. It keeps the wrist still so that the bones don't shift. Depending on the site of the fracture, the cast may need to be brought out over some of the fingers; this is called an outrigger cast.
5. Some Fractures Require Surgery
If the angulation or displacement of the fracture is too much, and it can't be set in place, surgery may be necessary. This can involve plates and screws or pins that hold the bone still while it's healing.
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