Finger fracture

As the name suggests, finger fracture is the a traumatic break in one or more of the bones in one of the digits of the hand. It can involve any of the fingers such as index finger, pointer finger, forefinger, middle finger or long finger, ring finger, little finger, also called pinky finger in any of the digits.

Finger fractures

Causes

Many things can cause hand and finger injuries such as the use of unprotected or faulty machinery or equipment.

Industrial hand hazards

• Failures to use push-sticks, guards, and killswitches, or follow appropriate lockout/tagout procedures, are among the leading industrial hand hazards.
• Wearing jewelry, gloves, or loose-fitting clothing around moving parts can also lead to injury.
• Chemicals, corrosives, and other irritating substances can cause burns and skin inflammation unless appropriate hand protection is used.
• Temperature extremes and electrical hazards are other common causes of hand injuries.
• Constant repetitive motion (as in assembly-line work or painting) can cause undue stress on the wrists and hands unless protective measures are taken.

Clinical presentation

Most patients present with pain, swelling and difficulty moving the affected finger.

Diagnosis

X-ray, CT scan or MRI scan can help in identifying the fracture.

Treatment

Most injuries can be treated with non-invasive measures such as splints while some injuries require surgery.

Specialists

Orthopedic surgeons that specialize in hands are called hand surgeons.

Glossary

• Jammed finger - more serious fractures are indicated by midshaft angulation and rotation, where the bone itself appears broken or twisted.

• Boxer's fracture - a fracture in which the broken finger is rotated, reduction and splinting may be recommended. They represent about a fifth of hand fractures.

• Mallet finger - Fracture at the insertion of the extensor tendon A mallet finger without an associated fracture The management goal is to restore

• Avulsion fracture - It occurs when a chunk(usually small) of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone

• Trigger finger - Trigger finger is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a disorder characterized by catching or locking of the involved finger.

• Bone fracture is a bone fracture (abbreviated FRX or Fx, Fx, or #) is a medical condition in which there is a partial or complete break in the continuity of a bone

Resources

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Finger fracture for any updates.

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