Fracture of the finger is a serious problem. The load on both the hands and feet is quite large, and the bones here are thin and fragile, so at least once in a lifetime almost any person faces a fracture in this area. Having received a fracture, it’s quite easy to understand what the cause of the pain is, and hardly anyone will delay it with an appointment with a doctor. The difficulty in another is limiting the mobility of a finger, at least a hand, even a foot, brings very strong discomfort in everyday life.
General view
The main signs of a finger fracture are severe pain and swelling in the case if the fracture is closed. With an open form, bleeding and a wound are added to it. An accurate diagnosis usually does not require much effort. Of course, you need to go to the doctor with a suspected fracture, but clarifying the case often requires only an x-ray - no additional studies are performed. Assuming a fracture, you should immediately take the advice of a qualified doctor. The sooner it is possible to determine the diagnosis and apply gypsum, the higher the likelihood that healing will require a short time, and negative consequences and complications can be avoided.
First, we consider cases of violation of the integrity of the musculoskeletal system of the legs, then move on to the hands.
Signs and manifestations
Symptoms of a toe fracture are divided into two classes: relative and absolute. A diagnosis is possible after analyzing all the manifestations of a particular case and examining on an X-ray.
Relative manifestations - severe, acute, intense pain, increasing with an attempt to move. Sometimes this symptom accompanies bruises, so it can not reliably indicate a fracture. Due to soreness, the area loses its functionality. Perhaps the formation of subcutaneous hematoma, the damaged area swells.
You can distinguish a finger fracture from the soreness that accompanies a bruise in duration and strength - the sensations disturb more and longer. This also applies to edema - with a bruise, it falls off faster, but with a fracture it persists until the area begins to heal.
An absolute sign of a fracture of the bones of the toes is the abnormal position of the organ. Looking at him, it seems as if the finger is unnatural. If you accidentally press on this area, a characteristic crunch will be heard. In medicine, the phenomenon is called crepitus. It is not always possible to check it, because touching a damaged area is a source of severe pain. Even in a hospital setting, crepitus testing is only possible with prior use of an analgesic.
What to look for?
When future doctors are explained as part of an educational course how to determine a broken toe, attention is paid to the mobility of the damaged area. In practice, the pain is such that without preliminary treatment with anesthetics it is not possible to check mobility.
Of the much more easily specified occurrences of a fracture, pain under axial load. To do this, lightly tap on the damaged finger. The area where the integrity of the bones is broken will immediately respond with pain. In case of a bruise, the pain syndrome also appears, but is relatively weak, but with a fracture, the patient's reaction will be immediate and bright. It is very important to carefully determine the location of the fracture, so as not to provoke too much pain. The blow is made on the very tip of the finger, the intensity is moderate.
Case features
The specific features of a particular case of a fracture of a finger are determined by the localization of a violation of the integrity of the bone. If the area is located near the tip of the finger, the manifestations are slightly weaker, but with a problem at the base, the symptoms are clearly pronounced.
Fractures of the toes (except the large), many people do not notice at all. The fact is that functionality is poorly disturbed, and the pain is such that it seems to a person as if he was only hurt. Many people prefer not to go to the doctor, waiting for the leg to bounce back. Indeed, after some time, the damaged finger grows together, but it is likely that this process will go wrong. You can prevent incorrect accretion, which in the future would have to be corrected, if you visit the doctor on time.
A fracture of a toe located first (that is, a large one) proceeds somewhat differently. This area has a considerable load, so the symptoms are pronounced. The finger consists of two phalanges, that is, one less than the other fingers. When a bone fracture occurs, a person loses the ability to walk normally, and the pain is severe and gradually only becomes clearer. In addition, puffiness covers not only the damaged finger, but also the adjacent one. Sometimes the spread goes to the foot. The leg acquires a blue tint, especially pronounced in the fracture area.
Options are different
It will become clear if you study the specified reference books with photos: finger fractures are open and closed. If the violation of integrity is open, the diagnosis is straightforward. The place where the skeletal system is destroyed is secreted by the wound, and often the remains of bones are visible from it. However, fragments do not always protrude above the skin surface - the wound can simply come in contact with the fracture line.
Another form of fracture is pathological. It can appear if a person is sick with something and it was the disease that provoked a violation of the integrity of the supporting system. In a predominant percentage of cases, the fracture provokes inflammatory processes localized in the bones, or osteomyelitis. Sometimes the cause is cancer metastases that have spread to the toes. Similar cases are extremely rare.
Arm hurt
Fracture of the ring finger, little finger, thumb, and any other - a condition in which the integrity of the bone system of the organ is violated. This usually leads to injury. Normally, the finger is formed by three phalanges, except for the big one - there are two in it. The nail is called the distal, then the middle, and the closest to the base is the proximal. From statistics it is known that fractures are more characteristic of the nail element. Dislocation, injury, fracture of this area - perhaps the most common injuries in people. To confirm the proposal and clarify the fracture, it is necessary to take an x-ray.
Fractures of the finger on the hand are diverse, therefore, in medicine, developed a system for classifying such cases. This takes into account the nature of the violations, the location of the fracture, the likelihood of complications, and a number of other factors. As a rule, the bones break due to direct injury, but occasionally such problems are observed against the background of the application of an extra measure of force when the finger is extended. Perhaps a violation of the integrity of the bone on the background of twisting.
Athletes, as well as persons who, due to the nature of their work, are forced to risk tissue integrity, are more affected by finger fractures on their hands. The third common reason for getting a fracture is household. Symptoms in each individual case depend on the characteristics of the affected area.
How to notice?
The main symptom of a finger fracture is pain following a trauma. Sometimes soreness extends to the wrist or forearm. When touched, the sensations become stronger. In the area of damage, the formation of a subcutaneous hematoma is possible. Tissues swell. During the examination of the area, the doctor can feel the bone fragments, the mobility of the site.
From medical statistics it is known that of all the fingers most often suffers big. Often the layman, having received a fracture, suggests that the cause of the pain is a bruise, dislocation. To clarify the case, you should consult a doctor. An X-ray will show exactly if the symptoms indicate a broken finger or the cause is different. More often, the integrity violation is localized near the base of the finger. Such an injury is dangerous, limits the person’s ability to work, and leads to malfunctioning of motor skills.
Fracture and displacement
Symptoms of a fracture of a finger accompanied by displacement include deformation of the area. The finger may become shorter or longer than it was. Mobility outside the joint area is possible - it is called pathological. As a rule, during a fracture it is impossible to make active movements with a sick finger. Another possible absolute sign indicating a fracture is crepitus. If at least one of the described manifestations is present, you need to urgently consult a doctor to identify the features of a finger fracture on your hand - this is definitely not a dislocation or a bruise.
As a rule, a fracture with displacement provokes severe pain in the damaged area. In the area of violation of the integrity of the bone, a hematoma is formed under the skin.
Self-attention is the key to safety and health
The above symptoms of a fracture of a finger on a hand should immediately attract the attention of a person. Suspecting such an injury, seeing the clinical symptoms, you must consult a doctor. In some cases, the fracture is obvious, but sometimes it is necessary to conduct additional studies to formulate a final diagnosis. Especially difficult are cases when a crack in the bone is formed or a fracture is localized inside the joint.
What does it lead to?
Fracture of the thumb, forefinger and others can cause the impossibility of making small movements. Motor impairment is especially characteristic of the case when a person neglected timely treatment for medical help or did not follow the doctor's recommendations. Already after the healing of the area, pain is possible. It is called post-traumatic. A particularly severe case is an open fracture in which a displacement occurs, since the probability of infection of the surrounding soft tissues is above average. The focus of infection can occur in the absence of displacement, as well as with a closed fracture, but the frequency of complications with these forms of injury is slightly lower.
What to do?
Finger fracture treatment begins with first aid. The bone is fixed, the forearm provides immobility. It is necessary to apply a fixing bandage. You can use improvised means - scarves, fabric cuts. A tire is required for fixing. It can be made from a stick or ruler.
In order for the puffiness to become somewhat less, the hematoma did not grow too large, an ice pack or other source of cold is applied to the affected area. To relieve pain, the patient is given an analgesic. A popular drug is Baralgin. It is unacceptable to try to put bone fragments in place without medical qualifications. High probability of pain shock.
The next step in the treatment is gypsum. A fracture of a finger requires placing the patient in the hospital ward. The doctor examines the patient, directs him to an x-ray, and then determines the treatment program. If the fracture is closed, nothing more is required except for casting. The bandage is applied in such a way as to fix bone fragments, avoiding displacement. The bandage will have to be worn for three weeks or more. Gypsum covers the area starting at the fingertips. The bandage covers the forearm completely.
With a complex large fracture of the finger, surgery is possible. As part of the intervention, the surgeon connects bone fragments, uses knitting needles to fix their location. At the end of the event, the limb is immobilized using a plaster cast for a month or more.
It's important to know
Often after a fracture, the patient is faced with numbness of the fingers. As a rule, this is explained by incorrectly applied gypsum. If the symptom is very worrying, you should consult a doctor to change the dressing to a new one.
After providing primary care, the patient will have to strictly follow the instructions received from the doctor. Do not remove the plaster cast ahead of time. After its removal, it is necessary to take measures to restore the functionality of the area. Neglect of this aspect can cause a deterioration in the performance of the brush. The recovery program must be selected, taking into account the individual characteristics of the case. The doctor will tell you what exercises and how often to do. Some of them begin to practice after applying the cast, but the active phase of the program starts after removing the bandage. The patient is sent for massage, physiotherapy. This will allow you to quickly restore the limb.
Healed but bad
Fractures of the finger are common, in most cases they do not require surgical intervention, but sometimes the situation is complicated by the location of the fracture or the presence of additional factors - displacement, open wounds. If specialized care has not been provided, improper splicing is possible. This violates the appearance and limits the carpal functionality. If the fracture is localized inside the joint and fused incorrectly, over time this leads to osteoarthritis, which means that the person will suffer from pain in the area, limited movement.
Not every fracture, during the fusion of which a shift occurred, becomes a cause of inhibition of the functionality of the region. There are also known cases when the fracture did not grow together correctly, which was complicated by additional problems with tissue integrity in the diseased area.
Despite the prevailing stereotypes, an incorrectly fractured finger fracture is a more complicated situation than people are used to thinking. Adequate carpal functionality allows the elements of the hand to be mobile and sensitive. The quality of blood flow, the slip of tendons depends on the correct structure. A pathological condition affecting any of the anatomical structures leads to considerable difficulties in everyday life, and is often even an obstacle to surgical reconstruction or significantly limits the ability of a doctor.
Case features
With incorrect bone fusion after a finger fracture, it is necessary to evaluate how possible the operation is, whether it is needed in this case. All the goals and possibilities of a particular case must be discussed with a highly specialized doctor - a surgeon working with brushes.
It is usually quite easy to notice a violation of carpal function due to incorrect adhesion. Outwardly visible rotation, a hump on the rear, the deformation of individual sections of the finger. To identify the features of the case, the patient is sent for x-ray. A snapshot is enough to identify specific nuances. Each of the disturbing fingers on the x-ray is removed separately, in two angles - directly and sideways.
To assess the rotational displacement, you need to clench your fist. If there is a crossover, we can talk about a pathological condition. True, the diagnosis is fraught with some difficulties - in some cases, the crossover is explained by the insufficiently developed area, which leads to problems of its bending.
To determine exactly what is the reason, it is important to take an x-ray. The doctor during the examination draws attention to the condition of the tendons. With a fracture inside the joint, CT should be done to clarify the presence of pathologies during splicing.
What to do?
If after the fracture, the fusion did not occur correctly, it is necessary to consult a highly specialized surgeon. In traumatology, the patient is unlikely to be admitted - the case is complex. First you need to understand if the cause of the problem is the features of the fusion or an insufficiently active and long recovery course. Post-traumatic carpal articular contractures must first be treated with orthosis and other non-invasive agents.
If the fact of incorrect splicing is confirmed, you need to choose the timing and approaches to correction. As a rule, correction and fixation are carried out using a knitting needle. Local anesthesia is sufficient for the operation. Already in the operating room, the patient can move his fingers, checking the correctness of the elimination of the problem and the stability of the immobilization. After the operation, it is necessary to begin to develop areas in order to have freedom of movement in the future.