Identifying Broken Fingers and Treating Them

Dr. Ian B. Lawson is active in the Washington medical community and leads an orthopedic practice in Gig Harbor. With experience treating a wide range of hand injuries, Ian B. Lawson, MD, is knowledgeable about broken fingers.

With the fingers one of the most common body parts to injure, distinguishing between a bruise or broken bone can be challenging. Several symptoms of a break, such as swelling, severe pain, redness, and finger deformity, are also present with serious bruises. While loss of range of motion is another major symptom, this is not present in every case. Some broken fingers will simply feature dull pain, with a full range of motion intact. With finger fractures, there will likely be more immediate pain and an inability to perform normal movements.

Another symptom to watch for is fingers that stiffen and become numb because of nerve compression or the trauma associated with injury. In distal phalanx or fingertip fracture, the finger pad will swell considerably, and subungual hematoma (blood of a purple hue under the fingernail) may be visible.

With minor fractures and breaks, have a physician tape the affected finger to its neighbor to minimize movement. A splint can hold the finger rigid if necessary and wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling. The orthopedic physician will likely need to take X-rays and see whether further intervention is necessary.

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Causes and Treatment of Olecranon Fractures in the Elbow

Based in Gig Harbor, Washington, Ian B. Lawson, MD, provides surgical treatments for complex injuries of the hand and wrist. Dr. Ian B. Lawson’s areas of extensive knowledge includes elbow conditions such as olecranon fractures.

Olecranon fractures involve a break in the pointy tip of the ulna, which comes together with two other elbow bones to create a joint. Unfortunately, the ulna is not protected by soft tissue and lies directly under the skin. A break can easily occur in cases of falls on the elbow tip or direct blows to the elbow. A fracture not only constricts and prevents elbow motion, but can also be extremely painful.

Olecranon fractures vary widely in their morphology, with some involving just a small crack and others involving a break into fragments. The pieces of bone can line up straight or be displaced. In certain cases, a wound may penetrate to the bone, or the bone may fragment such that pieces stick out through the skin. These open fractures are extremely problematic, as there is a significant likelihood of infection of the bone and wound.

Treatment starts with taking X-rays and typically includes the application of a splint and sling to keep the elbow in a resting position. In cases where the bones are not out of place, the fracture may simply be treated through the use of a splint and brace during healing. Typically, these need to be worn for 6 weeks before the patient can resume gentle motion. In cases of a displaced or open fracture, a surgical approach may be required. This involves resetting the bones and holding them immobile for an extended period.

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