Can surgery be avoided for a small fracture in the thumb?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

A week back, I slipped and injured my right thumb. There was a cut just below the top side nail with lots of bleeding. The doctor had bandaged it, and the wound seems to have healed. The X-ray report says 'evidence of mildly displaced comminuted fracture is seen in the base of the distal phalanx of the right thumb. Rest of the visualized bone appears to be normal.' The doctor has advised surgery which I do not want. Please advise if surgery can be avoided.

Answered by Dr. Sharoff Lokesh Mohan

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The need for surgery depends on the displacement and the width of the bone fragment. Kindly upload your X-rays so that I can give you an accurate advice.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I have attached the X-rays.

Answered by Dr. Sharoff Lokesh Mohan

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have seen the image (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Yes, this is a big fragment which is displaced. This requires surgery to fix the bony fragment by K-wires of thick suture material.

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Answered by Dr. Sharoff Lokesh Mohan

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team

March 30, 2018

April 26, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sharoff Lokesh Mohan

Orthopedician and Traumatology

Consult this doctor

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