About this topic
You have 5 bones that join the fingers to the wrist in your hand. When you break the bone that joins your littlest finger to your wrist, it is a boxers fracture. This often happens when you punch a hard object. Sometimes, it happens when a moving hard object hits your knuckles. ‚
There are a few ways to help your hand heal. Your doctor may do a simple movement to put the broken bone in the right place. If your finger is broken very badly, you may need surgery. ‚
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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.
- Your doctor may put your hand in a cast or splint. This will keep you from moving it too much.
- For a cast: Keep it dry and in place always. Avoid poking sharp objects inside your cast.
- For a splint: You may be able to take the splint off while you shower or bathe. Be careful not to move or bump your hand when the splint is off.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful finger. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Do this a few times a day.
- Prop your hand on pillows. Keep it raised above the level of your heart to help with swelling.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
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.
- If your doctor used a splint or cast, your doctor will ask you to make a follow-up visit to have it taken off.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- You may also need to see a physical therapist (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
- It may take 6 to 8 weeks for your hand to fully heal.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you
- Use your other hand to lift objects or to do tasks.
- Movements like writing, cooking, and cutting may be limited.
What problems could happen?
- Nerve injury
- Deformity
- Infection
- Pain that comes back
- Change in movement
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Do regular stretching exercises to strengthen your bones, muscles, and tendons.
- Wear proper gear like gloves or hand wraps when doing sports that involve hand use.
- Do not ignore or try to work through pain.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Very bad pain in the affected hand
- The tips of your fingers or nail beds become bluish
- Numbness or tingling in your fingers
- Stiffness that wont go away
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 may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain or I have more numbness and tingling and swelling.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00010 ‚
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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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚