Introduction:
Each finger contains three phalanges, whereas the thumb comprises two. Any of these bones are highly susceptible to fractures. Breaks can occur in the finger and in the knuckles, and the joints where the finger bones come together. If single or multiple bones, as mentioned earlier, are fractured due to injury or trauma, it is a broken finger.
How Common Is a Finger or Hand Fracture?
Broken fingers are a common occurrence marked as the most common sports-related fracture in adults and teenagers. They sometimes happen along with metacarpal fractures or the knucklebones that connect the wrist and the fingers. Fractured fingertips and avulsion-type fractures are also a form of finger fracture. Avulsion fractures occur when an injury occurs in proximity to a tendon or ligament attached to the bones of the hand, and the ligament pulls off a fragment of bone.
What Are the Causes of a Finger Fracture?
Fingers are the most susceptible to injury among all the hand parts. Damage can occur while working with tools like hammers or saws or impact with a fast-moving object, such as a ball. Slamming the hand in a door or using the hands out to break a fall can also lead to fractures in the finger bones. The location of the fracture depends upon the nature of the injury and the strength of the bone. In addition, conditions such as osteoporosis and malnutrition increase the chances of fracturing the fingers.
What Are the Types of Finger Fractures?
As per the American Society for surgery of the hand, several combinations of types of hand fractures describe how broken fingers are categorized as follows;
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What Was the Method of the Fracture?
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When a fractured piece of bone, pulling a ligament or tendon, causes it to be removed away from the original bone fragment, it is termed an avulsion fracture.
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When the broken or fragmented ends of a bone are driven into each other, it is termed an impact fracture.
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When the fractured bone fragments split in two, a force causes them to move in two different directions, termed a shear fracture.
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Was There Any Skin Involvement?
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An open fracture is where the bone pierces the skin, creating an open wound.
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In a closed fracture, the bone fractures, but the skin is intact.
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What Was the Position of the Bone?
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A fracture is stable or non-displaced when the bone does not move but cracks wholly or slightly.
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A fracture is unstable or displaced when the bone fragments into separate pieces that move apart and are misaligned.
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A comminuted fracture is a form of displaced fracture in which the bone breaks into three or more pieces.
Who Is at Risk for Fracturing a Finger?
People with weaker bones, such as older adults or those with a calcium deficiency, have increased fracture risks. Athletes and manual laborers also have an increased risk of broken fingers due to professional hazards. Automobile accidents, fall, or other high-impact events can also cause broken fingers.
What May Be the Signs and Symptoms of Finger Fractures?
Pain is likely the first symptom noticed in case of a fracture. The finger may also look misshaped or out of alignment. Other broken finger symptoms may include:
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Bruising.
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Numbness.
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Problems bending your finger.
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Redness.
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Stiffness.
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Swelling.
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Tenderness.
The finger might also look out of alignment or deformed. Broken fingers can be excruciatingly painful, especially during attempts to move them, but in some cases, it only causes dull discomfort, which is tolerable. However, the absence of extreme pain does not signify that the fracture does not require medical attention and may indicate nerve damage.
How Is a Finger Fracture Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of finger fracture begins with recording a good medical history and a thorough physical examination. X-rays of the finger usually indicate whether the finger is fractured.
How Does a Fractured Finger X-Ray Appear?
An X-ray is necessary to look for fractures and hairline cracks in the bone. Several X-rays may be needed from different angles.
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Comparison of the Hands: An X-ray of the finger on the unaffected hand may be used to compare how differently the fingers appear.
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Checking the Fracture’s Stability: The X-ray also reveals if the fracture stays in position over time and is stable or has the chance of moving out of alignment again and is unstable. This information helps in treatment planning.
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Identify Any Damage to the Joints: X-rays also reveal injury to the finger joints and the cartilage surfaces that connect the bones. If the joints are misaligned, surgery to try to correct the alignment may be necessary.
What Is the Treatment Modality for Finger Fractures?
The treatment modality for a broken finger is determined by the location and stability of the fracture. For example, the surgeon may tape a fractured finger to an adjacent intact finger to treat it as a stable fracture. Unstable fractures, however, require immobilization after alignment or reduction by applying a splint.
Surgery may be recommended if a fracture is unstable or displaced. Surgical stabilization of the fracture is necessary when there are;
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Multiple fractures in a single bone.
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Loosely bound bone fragments are prone to misaligning.
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An injury to the joints.
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Any damage to the ligaments or tendons along with the bones.
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Fractures that are unstable, displaced, or open.
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An impacted fracture (where one bone fragment is driven into another).
An orthopedic hand surgeon will determine the best treatment modality for a complicated fracture using pins, screws, and wires. Proper diagnosis, efficient treatment, and rehabilitation of broken fingers can help preserve and restore hand function and strength to prevent future deformities. The recovery and rehabilitation phase can range anywhere between a few weeks and a year, depending on multiple factors, such as the treatment modality, the individual's age, and other conditions. The prognosis also depends on associated nerve injuries or vascular injury or if there is an injury to the joint surface causing arthritis.
How Can Finger Fractures Be Prevented?
A nutritious diet with adequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, and other supplements can help keep the bones healthy, making them less prone to fractures. People who suffer from a condition that results in difficulty walking are highly likely to fall and can be advised physiotherapy and use assistive devices, such as canes, crutches, or walkers, to ensure safe movements. Manual laborers and athletes should exercise caution to prevent finger fractures as it is a professional hazard in their field of work.
Conclusion:
Each finger contains three phalanges, whereas the thumb comprises two. Any of these bones are highly susceptible to fractures. Broken fingers are a common occurrence marked as the most common sports-related fracture in adults and teenagers. They sometimes happen along with metacarpal fractures or the knucklebones that connect the wrist and the fingers. An orthopedic hand surgeon will determine the best treatment modality for a complicated fracture using pins, screws, and wires.
Proper diagnosis, efficient treatment, and rehabilitation of broken fingers can help preserve and restore hand function and strength to prevent future deformities. In addition, a nutritious diet with adequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, and other supplements can help keep the bones healthy, making them less prone to fractures.
