A broken finger is a serious problem. The load on both the hands and the 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 is quite easy to understand what the cause of the pain is, and hardly anyone will delay contacting the doctor. The difficulty lies elsewhere - limiting the mobility of a finger, even a hand, even a leg, brings very strong discomfort in everyday life.
General view
The main signs of a finger fracture are severe pain and swelling of the site if the fracture is closed. With an open form, bleeding, a wound are added to it. Making an accurate diagnosis usually does not require much effort. Of course, it is necessary to consult a doctor with a suspicion of a fracture, but clarification of the case often requires only an x-ray - no additional studies are carried out. Assuming a fractureyou need to immediately take the advice of a qualified doctor. The sooner it is possible to determine the diagnosis and apply a cast, the higher the likelihood that healing will take a short time, and negative consequences and complications can be avoided.
First, consider cases of violation of the integrity of the musculoskeletal system of the legs, then move on to the hands.
Signs and manifestations
The symptoms of a broken toe are divided into two classes: relative and absolute. Diagnosis is possible after analyzing all the manifestations of a particular case and X-ray examination.
Relative manifestations - strong, sharp, intense pain that increases when you try to move. Sometimes such a symptom accompanies bruises, so it cannot reliably indicate a fracture. Due to pain, the area loses functionality. Possible formation of a subcutaneous hematoma, the damaged area swells.
It is possible to distinguish a fracture of a finger from the pain that accompanies a bruise by duration and strength - the sensations are more disturbing and longer. This also applies to edema - with a bruise, it subsides faster, but with a fracture it remains until the area begins to heal.
The absolute sign of a fracture of the bones of the toes is an abnormal position of the organ. When looking at it, it seems as if the finger is located unnaturally. If you accidentally press on this area, you will hear a characteristic crunch. In medicine, the phenomenon is called crepitus. It is not always possible to check it, since touching the damaged area is a source of severe pain. Even in a hospital setting, checking for crepitus is only possible with the prior use of an analgesic.
What to look out for?
When future doctors are taught how to identify a broken toe in an educational course, attention is drawn to the mobility of the damaged area. In practice, the pain is such that it is not possible to check mobility without preliminary treatment with anesthetics.
From among the much more easily specified occurrences of a fracture, pain with axial load. To do this, lightly tap on the injured finger. The area where the integrity of the bones is broken will immediately respond with pain. In the case of a bruise, pain syndrome also appears, but relatively weak, but in case of a fracture, the patient's reaction will be immediate and vivid. It is very important to accurately specify the location of the fracture so as not to provoke too much pain. The blow is made at the very tip of the finger, the intensity is moderate.
Features of the case
Specific features of a particular case of a finger fracture are determined by the localization of the violation of the integrity of the bone. If the area is located near the tip of the finger, the manifestations are somewhat weaker, but with a problem at the base, the symptoms are clearly expressed, brightly.
Fractures of the toes (except for the big one) are not noticed at all by many people. The fact is that the functionality is weakly disturbed, and the pain is such that it seems to the person that he was just hurt. Many people prefer not to go to the doctor, waiting for the leg towill return to normal. Indeed, after some time, the damaged finger grows together, but there is a high probability that this process will go wrong. It is possible to prevent incorrect accretion, which would have to be corrected in the future, if you visit a doctor in time.
Fracture of the toe, located first (that is, the big one), proceeds somewhat differently. This area has a considerable load, so the symptoms are pronounced. The finger contains two phalanges, that is, one less than the rest of the fingers. When a bone is fractured, a person loses the ability to walk normally, and the pain is severe and gradually becomes only clearer. In addition, puffiness covers not only the damaged finger, but also the neighboring one. Sometimes the spread goes to the foot. The leg acquires a blue tint, especially pronounced in the area of the fracture.
There are different options
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 not difficult. The place where the skeletal system is destroyed is distinguished by a wound, often remnants of bones are visible from it. However, fragments do not always protrude above the skin surface - the wound may simply be 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 support system. In the majority of cases, the fracture is caused byinflammatory processes localized in the bones, or osteomyelitis. Sometimes the cause is cancer metastases that have spread to the toes. Such cases are extremely rare.
Hand hurt
Fracture of the ring finger, little finger, thumb and any other is a condition in which the integrity of the skeletal system of an organ is violated. This is usually caused by trauma. Normally, the finger is formed by three phalanges, except for the big one - there are two of them in it. The nail part is called the distal part, then the middle part follows, and the proximal part is located closest to the base. From statistics it is known that fractures are more characteristic of the nail element. Dislocation, bruising, fracture of this area are perhaps the most common injuries in people. To confirm the proposal and clarify the fracture, an x-ray must be taken.
Fractures of the finger on the hand are varied, so medicine has developed a classification system for such cases. At the same time, the nature of the violations, the location of the fracture, the likelihood of complications and a number of other factors are taken into account. As a rule, bones break due to direct trauma, but occasionally such problems are observed against the background of applying excessive force when extending the finger. Possible violation of the integrity of the bone against the background of twisting.
To a greater extent, athletes are damaged by fractures of the fingers, as well as persons who, due to the nature of their work, are forced to risk the integrity of tissues. The third common reason for getting a fracture is domestic. Symptoms in each individual case depend on the characteristics of the victim.area.
How to notice?
The main symptom of a broken finger is pain following the injury. Sometimes the pain extends to the hand or forearm. When touched, the sensations become stronger. In the area of damage, the formation of a subcutaneous hematoma is possible. The tissues swell. During the examination of the area, the doctor can feel the bone fragments, the mobility of the area.
From medical statistics it is known that of all fingers, the big one most often suffers. Often, a man in the street, having received a fracture, assumes that the cause of the pain is a bruise, dislocation. To clarify the case, you should contact the doctor. An x-ray will tell you exactly if the symptoms point to a broken finger or something else. More often, the violation of integrity is localized near the base of the finger. Such an injury is dangerous, limits a person's ability to work, and leads to motor failures.
Fracture and displacement
Symptoms of a displaced finger fracture include deformity 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, with 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 broken finger on the hand - this is definitely not a dislocation or a bruise.
As a rule, a displaced fracture provokes severe pain in the damaged area. ATarea of violation of the integrity of the bone, a hematoma is formed under the skin.
Attention to yourself is the key to safety and he alth
The symptoms of a broken finger on the hand listed above should immediately attract the attention of a person. Suspecting such an injury, seeing clinical symptoms, you should consult a doctor. In some cases, the fracture is obvious, but sometimes it is necessary to conduct additional studies to formulate the final diagnosis. Cases are considered especially difficult when a crack is formed in the bone or the fracture is localized inside the joint.
What does it lead to?
Fracture of the thumb, forefinger and others can make it impossible to make small movements. Dysmotility is especially characteristic of the case when a person neglected to seek medical help in a timely manner or did not follow the doctor's recommendations. After the area has healed, pain is possible. It's called post-traumatic. A particularly severe case is considered an open fracture in which displacement has occurred, since the likelihood of infection of the surrounding soft tissues is above average. The focus of infection can also occur in the absence of displacement, as well as with a closed fracture, but the frequency of complications with these forms of injury is somewhat lower.
What to do?
Treatment of a broken finger begins with first aid. The bone is fixed, immobility is provided with the forearm. It is necessary to apply a fixing bandage. You can use improvised means - scarves, fabric cuts. Forfixation requires a splint. It can be made from a stick or a ruler.
In order for the swelling to become somewhat less, the hematoma has not grown too large, an ice pack or other source of cold is applied to the diseased area. An analgesic is given to the patient to relieve pain. A popular drug is Baralgin. It is unacceptable to try to put bone fragments in place without having medical qualifications. High probability of pain shock.
The next step in treatment is plaster. A broken finger requires the patient to be admitted to the emergency department of a hospital. The doctor examines the patient, directs him to an x-ray, and then determines the treatment program. If the fracture is closed, nothing else is required other than a cast. The bandage is applied in such a way as to fix the bone fragments, avoiding displacement. The bandage will have to be worn for three weeks or more. Gypsum covers the area, starting from the fingertips. The bandage covers the forearm completely.
In case of 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.
Important to know
Often, after a fracture, the patient is faced with numbness of the fingers. As a rule, this is due to incorrectly applied plaster. If the symptom is very disturbing, you should consult a doctor to change the bandage to a new one.
After providing primary care, the patient will have to clearly followinstructions received from the doctor. You can not remove the plaster bandage ahead of time. After its removal, you will have 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 you need to do. Some of them begin to practice after the plaster is applied, but the active phase of the program starts after the bandage is removed. The patient is referred for massage, physiotherapy. This will allow faster recovery of 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, an open wound. If specialized care has not been provided, improper fusion is possible. This breaks the appearance and limits the functionality of the hand. If the fracture is localized inside the joint and has grown together 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 splicing of which a displacement occurred, becomes the cause of the oppression of the functionality of the area. There are also cases when the fracture healed incorrectly, which was complicated by additional problems with the integrity of the tissues in the diseased area.
Despite the prevailing stereotypes, an incorrectly healed digital fracture is a more difficult 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 sliding of tendons depends on the correctness of the structure. A pathological condition affecting any of the anatomical structures leads to considerable difficulties in everyday life, and often even an obstacle to surgical reconstruction or significantly limits the doctor's capabilities.
Features of the case
In case of incorrect bone fusion after a digital fracture, it is necessary to assess whether the operation is possible, whether it is necessary in this case. All goals and possibilities of a particular case should be discussed with a highly specialized doctor - a surgeon working with the hands.
It's usually quite easy to spot hand dysfunction due to incorrect fusion. Outwardly visible rotation, a hump on the back, deformation of individual sections of the finger. To identify the features of the case, the patient is sent for an x-ray. The picture is enough to identify specific nuances. Each of the disturbing fingers on the X-ray is filmed separately, in two angles - straight and sideways.
To evaluate the rotational displacement, you need to clench your fist. If there is a crossing, we can talk about a pathological condition. True, the diagnosis is associated with some difficulties - in some cases, the crossing is due to the insufficient development of the area, which leads to problems with its bending.
To determine exactly what the cause is, it is important to take an x-ray. Dr. Wothe inspection time draws attention to the condition of the tendons. In case of a fracture inside the joint, a CT scan should be performed to clarify the presence of pathologies during fusion.
What to do?
If, after a fracture, the fusion has occurred incorrectly, it is necessary to contact a highly specialized surgeon. In traumatology, the patient is unlikely to be accepted - the case is complex. First you need to understand whether the cause of the problem is the features of the fusion or an insufficiently active and lengthy recovery course. Post-traumatic carpal articular contractures must first be treated with orthotics and other non-invasive means.
If the fact of incorrect splicing is confirmed, you need to choose the timing and approaches for correction. As a rule, correction and fixation are made 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.
