Hand Fractures
Causes, Symptoms, Types, Treatment Options, and Rehabilitation
Causes and symptoms
Hand fractures are common injuries that can occur due to various causes, including:
- Direct trauma from falls, sports injuries, or accidents.
- Crushing injuries from heavy objects or machinery.
- Twisting injuries during sports or physical activities.
Symptoms of hand fractures may include:
- Pain: Intense pain at the site of the fracture, worsened by movement or pressure.
- Swelling and bruising: Swelling and bruising around the injured area due to soft tissue damage.
- Deformity: Visible misalignment or deformity of the affected finger or hand.
- Limited range of motion: Difficulty moving the finger or hand due to pain and instability caused by the fracture.
Types of hand fractures
Hand fractures can be classified into different types based on the bones involved:
Metacarpal fractures: Fractures of the metacarpal bones, which are the long bones in the palm of the hand.
Phalangeal fractures: Fractures of the phalanges, which are the bones of the fingers.
Mallet fractures: Specific type of finger fracture that occurs at the distal phalanx, usually due to a forceful blow to the fingertip.
Treatment options
The treatment approach for hand fractures depends on the type, location, and severity of the fracture:
Non-surgical treatment: For simple, non-displaced fractures, non-surgical treatment options may include:
- Buddy taping: The fractured finger is taped to an adjacent finger for support and stabilisation during the healing process.
- Splinting: A splint may be applied to the hand or finger to immobilise the fracture and promote healing.
Surgical treatment: For more complex or displaced fractures, surgical intervention may be necessary to realign the fractured bone fragments and stabilise the hand. Surgical options may include:
- Screw fixation: In this procedure, screws or other hardware are used to hold the fractured bone fragments together.
- Plate and screw fixation: A metal plate is attached to the bone with screws to provide stability during healing.
- Wiring: Wires may be used to hold the bone fragments in place until healing occurs.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation process varies based on the type and severity of the injury. Hand injuries are more prone to cause post-injury stiffness if appropriate rehabilitation is not performed. The hand contains multiple tendons and ligaments, often nearby to zones of injury, that can become scarred or thickened after injury, causing stiffness.
Self-directed exercises: Patients may perform gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness and maintain finger mobility.
Hand therapist guidance: For more complex fractures or those requiring surgical intervention, rehabilitation may be performed under the guidance of a hand therapist. This may involve a combination of exercises, regular splint changes, and therapy sessions to restore hand function and strength.
Hand fracture care with Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell
Hand fractures can result from various causes and may involve different bones in the hand. Treatment options range from non-surgical approaches, such as buddy taping or splinting, to surgical interventions using screws, plates, or wires for more complex fractures. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery process, whether through self-directed exercises or under the guidance of a hand therapist. Seeking prompt medical attention and following Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell’s prescribed treatment and rehabilitation plan can significantly improve outcomes and restore hand function after hand fractures.
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