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Hand Fracture Discharge Instructions


About this topic


A hand fracture is when one or more bones in the hand are broken due to an injury or accident. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Rest. Allow your injury to heal before you do slow movements.
  • Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
  • Prop your hand on pillows to help with swelling.
  • If you have a splint, wear it as much as you can. This will rest the broken bone and help with healing.
  • You may need someone to help you with dressing, bathing, and eating.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The doctor may send you to physical therapy to help with muscle strength and range of motion. Your doctor may send you to a bone or hand expert to make sure the bones are healing the right way. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Fight an infection

Your doctor may give you a tetanus shot if there is a break in the skin and you have not had this shot in the past 5 to 10 years ‚  

Will physical activity be limited?


Bones take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. You will need to keep your hand in a cast or splint for that time. When the cast or splint is no longer needed, it may take a few more months of rehab before you can go back to your normal activities. ‚  

What problems could happen?


Most broken hands will heal with proper care. Problems could include: ‚  
  • Infection
  • Healing may take longer if you do not get care right away
  • Stiffness in the fingers or joints. This is arthritis.
  • Extra bone forms as the break heals making a bump

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Follow all safety rules when using machines.
  • Do not punch or pound things with your hands.
  • If you play sports, protect your hands when needed.
  • Follow safety rules to avoid falls.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
  • Cast gets too tight because of swelling
  • Fingers turn cold and blue
  • More pain than you think you should have
  • Redness or swelling gets worse
  • Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my fracture.
  • I can tell you how to care for my injured area.
  • I can tell you what I will do if my fingers are cold and blue or my cast is tight.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚  
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00010 ‚  
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine ‚  
http://www.sportsmed.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Patient/Sports_Tips/4ST%20Wrist%20Injury.pdf ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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