Often asked: How Soon Should A “broken Hand” Be Seen By Orthopedist?

What can happen if you don’t treat a broken hand?

When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

What do they do for a broken hand?

Treatment options include:

1. Cast, splint, and brace. Immobilization limits unnecessary movement, which promotes proper healing. It also ensures that your bones line up correctly.
2. Pain medication. A doctor might have you take over-the-counter medication to control pain.
3. Surgery. A broken hand usually doesn’t require surgery.

When should you go to the doctor for a hand injury?

If you think you might have a broken hand, see a doctor immediately, especially if you have numbness, swelling or trouble moving your fingers. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to poor healing, decreased range of motion and decreased grip strength.

How do you know if you need surgery on a broken hand?

It’s very common for people to wonder if they ‘ve broken their hand, or if it’s just a sprain that will get better on its own.

1. Pain and tenderness.
2. Swelling.
3. Pain that becomes worse when gripping or moving.
4. Numbness in fingers.
5. Inability to move finger (s)
6. Bruising.
7. Deformities (fingers bent at wrong angles, etc.)

How long does a broken hand hurt for?

Usually, it is for about 3 weeks. Most fractures heal well. After healing, your knuckle may look different or your finger may move in a different way when you close your hand. Some fractures require surgery.

How long does a broken hand take to heal?

With proper treatment, broken fingers will typically heal within a few weeks and broken hands within one to two months, although it may take several months to make a complete recovery from a severely broken hand.

Do you need a cast for a broken hand?

Immobilization. Restricting the movement of a broken bone in your hand is critical to proper healing. To do this, you ‘ll likely need a splint or a cast. You ‘ll be advised to keep your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain.

Can you break your hand without knowing?

Without treatment, your broken finger may stay stiff and painful. Sometimes a bone can break without you realizing it. That’s usually what happens to the scaphoid bone in your wrist, a boat-shaped bone located on the outermost side of the thumb side of the hand.

What is a hairline fracture in hand?

What is a hairline fracture? A hairline fracture, also known as a stress fracture, is a small crack or severe bruise within a bone. This injury is most common in athletes, especially athletes of sports that involve running and jumping. People with osteoporosis can also develop hairline fractures.

How do you know if a hand injury is serious?

When to Seek Medical Care for Hand Injury

1. Severe bleeding.
2. Numbness.
3. Loss of motion or strength.
4. Severe pain.
5. Obvious deformity or amputation.
6. Any of the signs of infection, such as tenderness, local warmth, redness, swelling, pus, or fever.

What happens if you fall on your hand?

Hand and Wrist Fractures From Falling The hands, wrist and fingers have a number of small bones. A fracture in any of these tiny bones can be severe. Not only is it incredibly painful, it is very common for complications to arise during the healing process.

How long does a fracture take to heal?

How Long Does a Fracture Take to Heal? Most fractures heal in 6-8 weeks, but this varies tremendously from bone to bone and in each person based on many of the factors discussed above. Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks whereas a tibia fracture may take 20 weeks or more.

How can I treat a broken hand at home?

How can you care for yourself at home?

1. Put ice or a cold pack on your hand for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
2. Follow the cast care instructions your doctor gives you.
3. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
4. Prop up your hand on pillows when you sit or lie down in the first few days after the injury.

Do they cast a broken knuckle?

Recovering from a broken knuckle can be challenging. You might not have full use of the affected hand and fingers for a while. You might have to wear a cast or a splint for several weeks. A doctor might take more X-rays after two or three weeks in order to ensure your knuckle is healing properly.