A broken, or fractured, finger may not seem as serious as a break in one of your bigger bones, but it is essential that you treat the injury properly to prevent range of motion issues in the future. You will probably have to wear a splint or cast to immobilize the finger while it heals and, depending on the severity of the break, this can take three to six weeks, according to the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic.
Symptoms
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a broken finger often occurs due to a forceful impact to your hand, such as slamming your fingers in a door, putting your hands out to break your fall or catching a ball the wrong way. The main signs of a broken finger are swelling and/or bruising around the injury and pain when moving the affected finger or the entire hand. If you think you may have sustained a break, see your doctor so the injury can be treated properly to ensure full recovery.
Treatment
In most cases, when the break is simple, your doctor will realign the broken bone and immobilize your finger with a cast or splint to ensure the bones don’t move out of alignment during the healing process. This is important because the delicate bones in your hands and fingers allow you to perform very precise movements and actions, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. If your finger heals out of alignment, you may experience pain and stiffness in the affected joints and your hand function can be reduced. For more serious breaks that involve more than one bone and/or a crushing of the bones, surgery may be required to pin or wire the bones back together.
Rehabilitation
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends starting gentle strengthening and range of motion exercises as soon as you can move your injured finger without pain. Your doctor will be able to advise you on when to begin your rehabilitation and which exercises to do. However, they are likely to include clenching your injured hand into a fist, squeezing a soft ball, pressing your hand against a wall or table, as well as stretching the fingers.
Precautions and Prevention
Most finger breaks heal completely with no long-term side effects. However, beginning rehabilitation too soon can make your injury worse and delay recovery. Start with gentle exercises and gradually increase the intensity and number of repetitions as you see your strength and mobility improving. Once you return to normal activity, taping the injured finger can help protect it from similar injuries in the future – particularly if you play contact sports. In general, weight-bearing activities, such as walking, running and strength training, will help keep your bones strong and reduce the likelihood of fractures or breaks.
