Finger Fracture

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KEY POINTS

• A finger fracture is a crack or break in one or more of the bones in a finger.
• Treatment may include a splint, cast, buddy-taping, or surgery. Special exercises help your child’s finger get stronger and more flexible.
• Follow the full course of treatment your child’s healthcare provider prescribes.

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What is a finger fracture?

A finger fracture is a crack or break in one or more of the bones in a finger. The break may be just a bend or small crack in the bone, or the bone may break into pieces or shatter. Some fractures may stick out through the skin.

What is the cause?

A broken finger usually happens from:

• Hitting or being hit by a hard object
• Getting a finger slammed in a door
• Falling onto the hand

A fracture may be caused by a medical condition that causes weak or brittle bones.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• A snapping or popping sound at the time of the injury
• Pain, swelling, bruising, or tenderness that happens right after the injury
• Pain when the injured area is touched
• Pain that keeps your child from bending or using the finger
• An area of the finger that is cold, pale, or numb
• A change in the shape of the finger

How is it diagnosed?

Your child’s healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and how the injury happened. Your provider will examine your child. Tests may include:

• X-rays of the finger
• CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the bones
• MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures of the bones

How is it treated?

The treatment depends on the type of fracture.

• If your child has an open wound with the fracture, your child will need treatment to control bleeding or prevent infection.
• If the broken bone is crooked, your child’s healthcare provider will straighten it. Your child will first be given medicine so the straightening is less painful.
• Sometimes surgery is needed to put the bones back into the right position. The bones are held together in position with metal plates, screws, or rods.
• Your healthcare provider may put a splint or cast on your child’s finger, or the finger may be "buddy taped" to the finger next to it.

With treatment, the fracture may take 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Your child may need to do special exercises to help the finger get stronger and more flexible. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

How can I take care of my child?

Follow the full course of treatment your healthcare provider prescribes.

• To keep swelling down and help relieve pain, your child’s healthcare provider may tell you to do the following:
  • Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the injured area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time for the first day or two after the injury.
  • Keep the hand up on pillows so that it is above the level of the heart when your child sits or lies down.
  • Give your child pain medicine, such as ibuprofen, as directed by your provider. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. Read the label and give as directed. Check with your healthcare provider before you give any medicine that contains aspirin or salicylates to a child or teen. This includes medicines like baby aspirin, some cold medicines, and Pepto-Bismol. Children and teens who take aspirin are at risk for a serious illness called Reye syndrome.

Ask your child’s healthcare provider:

• How and when you will get your child’s test results
• How long it will take for your child to recover
• If there are activities your child should avoid and when your child can return to normal activities
• How to take care of your child at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if your child has them

Make sure you know when your child should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I help prevent a finger fracture?

Most broken fingers are caused by accidents that are not easy to prevent.