There may be cause for concern if you feel that the pain is not resolved after 7 to10 days. There are 8 bones that make up the wrist joint, and unfortunately, some of them do not receive good supply of blood (specifically, the scaphoid bone). Lack of blood slows or even prevents healing of injured tissue. This becomes a serious issue if any of these bones are broken (fractured). If left untreated, the fractured bone could eventually die (necros) and result in a significant loss of function and movement at the wrist. If you suspect that you may have injured this area, consult a physician. Fractures of the hand are most often seen and diagnosed on X-ray.
Hand Fracture
Recently Answered
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1 AnswerA
Dr. Rachel S. Rohde, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, answeredBelieve it or not, there are 19 bones in each of your hands and 8 in each wrist, not including those big long forearm bones. These bones and the joints between them provide protection and support for the many tendons, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and ligaments that work together to make your hands function so well!
When a significant force is applied to your bone, it can break (or fracture, which is the technical term for “break!”). This causes pain, stiffness, bruising, or even bleeding if there is a break in the skin. Sometimes you will see a deformity (your finger might look crooked).
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Dr. Rachel S. Rohde, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, answeredSwelling, bruising, tenderness, pain, or changes in motion after an injury to the hand are suspicious for a fracture; Xrays will help your hand doctor diagnose and plan your treatment with you.
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Dr. Rachel S. Rohde, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, answered
Treatment of hand fractures depends on your age, what bone is broken and where/how in that bone, whether your fingers are malrotated or “scissoring” over each other, and other factors. Your hand doctor can examine you and your X-rays to determine whether the fracture needs to be reduced (or “set”) and whether it can be treated in a splint/cast or might need surgery.
Once your doctor considers your fracture “stable” enough, you might be sent for hand therapy to start motion. Early motion helps prevent stiffness, but there always is a balance between early motion and stability of the fracture.
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1 AnswerA
Dr. Rachel S. Rohde, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, answeredThe biggest risk of most hand fractures is loss of function; usually, the loss is related to motion. Hand fractures that are not treated/followed can result in malrotated fingers that overlap or excessive stiffness. This is why it is so important to seek medical attention even for "just a broken finger."