About this topic
A hand fracture is when one or more bones in your hand are broken due to an injury or accident. ‚
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What are the causes?
- Heavy object falling on your hand
- Hand hitting or punching something
- Falling on your hand
- Contact sport injury
- Physical harm
What are the main signs?
- Pain
- Swelling
- Weakness or numbness in your hand
- Bruising
- You cannot move your fingers or hand in the normal way
- Your fingers or hand do not line up in the normal way
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will look at your hand and ask you what happened. Your doctor may order: ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treatment will depend on the type of break and how much damage it has caused. Mild breaks may just need a splint. Very bad breaks need other care. This might include: ‚
- Ice
- Keeping the hand raised
- Cast, splint, or immobilizer
- Surgery to put in pins, plates, wires, or screws that can hold the bones in place
- Open wounds will be cleaned and stitched, if needed.
- Physical therapy (PT)
- Seeing a bone or hand specialist to check and 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 ‚
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.
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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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚