A broken finger or thumb usually heals within
2 to 8 weeks
, but it can take longer. It may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to your hand.
What happens if you dont treat a broken finger?
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.
How long can a finger stay broken?
A broken finger or thumb usually heals
within 2 to 8 weeks
, but it can take longer. It may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to your hand. Once it’s healed, use your finger or thumb as normal. Moving it will stop it getting stiff.
Can you fix an old broken finger?
Your doctor
will put your broken bone back into place, usually without surgery. You will get a splint or cast to hold your finger straight and protect it from further injury while it heals. Sometimes your doctor may splint the fingers next to the fractured one to provide additional support.
Can a broken finger be serious?
When left untreated, broken and dislocated fingers
can cause serious problems in
the long term, including permanent loss of movement and sensation.
Is it too late to fix broken finger?
A broken finger or thumb usually heals within 2 to 8 weeks, but it can take longer. It may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to your hand. Once it’s healed, use your finger or thumb as normal. Moving it will stop it getting stiff.
Can you move a fractured finger?
A true fracture usually will be painful, but a broken finger may still have some range of motion and dull pain, and
the individual may still be able to move it
.
Will a broken bone in hand heal on its own?
A broken hand can heal by itself
. But without proper treatment, it’s more likely to heal incorrectly. Specifically, the bones might not line up properly.
Should you sleep with a finger splint on?
Always wear the splint full time when you sleep
. When we sleep, all of us naturally curl up our fingers without realizing it. In fact, after the initial 6-week healing period, you will need to sleep in the splint for another 2 months.
Do you need a cast for broken finger?
Luckily, most broken finger bones can be treated without the need for surgery. Your
fracture may require a splint or cast
to protect it from further injury and ensure it heals in the correct position.
Should I work with a broken finger?
If you have or suspect you have fractured a finger, you
should rest your hand and not perform any activities
that could cause the broken ends of the bone to move on one another. You should also avoid any activities which may increase the blood flow to the injured area.
How long can you wait to set a fracture?
Immobilization. Restricting movement of a broken bone, which requires a splint, sling, brace or cast, is critical to healing. Before applying a cast, your doctor will likely wait until the swelling goes down, usually
five to seven days after injury
.
Is my knuckle broken or just bruised?
The more severe the symptoms, the more likely it is that the knuckle is broken. If the injury does not dramatically affect the knuckle’s movement or cause much pain, it may just be a
bruised knuckle
.
How long should you buddy tape a broken finger?
You may replace it with paper, plastic, or cloth tape. Cloth tape and paper tapes must be kept dry. Keep the buddy tape in place for
at least 4 weeks
. You may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed.
What does a hand fracture feel like?
Fractured hand symptoms involving the metacarpals include
pain, swelling, general tenderness along the site of the injury, and bruising
. These metacarpal fractures symptoms may be more pronounced as the patient makes a fist or even loosely grips items.
What is a hairline fracture in hand?
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.
