Broken Hand

A broken hand happens when one or more of the bones in your hand are cracked or fractured. This can happen from a direct hit, like a punch, or a fall. Car accidents can also break hand bones, sometimes in several pieces, and often needing surgery to fix them.

People who play contact sports like football or hockey, or who have osteoporosis (a condition where bones become weak and brittle), might be more likely to break a hand.

It's important to get a broken hand treated quickly. If you wait too long, the bones might not mend properly. This could make it hard to do things you take for granted, like writing or buttoning your shirt. Early treatment also helps reduce pain and stiffness in the hand.

A broken hand can show up with several telltale signs. You might feel intense pain, especially when you try to hold, squeeze, or move your hand. The area around the break will likely swell up. You'll probably also notice tenderness (pain when touched) and possibly bruising. A broken hand sometimes changes the shape of your hand or fingers, making them look crooked. You may have trouble moving your fingers or thumb, and you might feel numbness in your hand or fingers.

Broken hand bones, or fractures, can happen in a few ways. A direct hit, like a punch or fall, can break a hand bone. A crushing force, such as being caught in a machine or a car accident, can also break hand bones. Sometimes, these breaks are severe, shattering the bone into multiple pieces. In these cases, surgery might be needed to put the pieces back together. Car accidents are a common cause of these complex hand fractures.

Playing sports like football, soccer, rugby, or hockey could make your hand more likely to break. This is because these activities can put a lot of force on your hands and wrists. Another factor that can increase your risk is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that makes your bones thinner and weaker. Weaker bones are more prone to breaking, even with a relatively small impact. So, if you have osteoporosis, you might be more susceptible to a broken hand, even during everyday activities.

Broken hands usually heal without lasting problems, but sometimes complications can arise. These are less common, but they're important to be aware of.

• Continued pain, stiffness, or trouble using your hand. After a cast is removed or surgery, most people find that pain, stiffness, and difficulty using the hand gradually improve. However, some people experience lasting stiffness or persistent pain. It's important to be patient during your recovery. Talk to your doctor about possible exercises to help or if you should see a physical therapist or occupational therapist. They can provide specific exercises and guidance tailored to your situation.

• Arthritis later on. If a broken bone extends into a joint, this can sometimes lead to arthritis in that joint down the road. Years after the break, if you notice your hand hurting or swelling, it's important to get it checked by a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage any potential arthritis.

• Damaged nerves or blood vessels. An injury to your hand can sometimes harm nearby nerves and blood vessels. If you notice any numbness, tingling, or problems with blood flow (like coldness or discoloration in the fingers), seek immediate medical attention. These are signs that something might be wrong and require prompt care.

Accidents happen, and broken hands are sometimes unavoidable. However, there are steps you can take to lessen your risk.

To find out if someone has a broken hand, doctors usually check the hand and take X-rays.

Treating a Broken Hand: A Guide for Patients

If your hand bone breaks, the broken pieces might not line up perfectly. This can cause gaps or overlapping pieces. To fix this, your doctor will carefully move the bone fragments back into place. This process is called a reduction. To do this, you might need medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic) or to put you to sleep (general anesthetic), depending on how much pain you have.

It's important to keep your fingers moving regularly while the break heals. This helps prevent stiffness. Talk to your doctor about the best exercises to do. If you smoke, it's crucial to quit. Smoking can slow or stop bones from healing properly.

To help the bone heal correctly, you'll likely need a splint or cast to keep the broken bone still. You should try to keep your hand above your heart as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with discomfort. If the pain is severe, your doctor might prescribe stronger pain medication, like codeine. Pain relievers called NSAIDs can help with pain, but they might also slow bone healing, especially if taken for a long time. Always ask your doctor before taking NSAIDs.

If the break goes through the skin (an "open fracture"), you'll likely get antibiotics to prevent infection. Bacteria could get into the bone through the open wound.

Once the splint or cast comes off, you'll probably need physical therapy to improve movement and reduce stiffness. This process can take several months or longer.

Sometimes, surgery is necessary. During surgery, your doctor might use pins, plates, rods, or screws to hold the broken bones together while they heal. A bone graft might also be used to help the break heal. You might need surgery if:

• The break went through the skin
• The broken bone pieces moved before they healed
• The broken pieces are loose enough that they could get into a joint
• The ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels around the break are damaged
• The break extends into a joint

Even after the bone is put back in place and immobilized, it's possible the bones might shift again. That's why your doctor will likely monitor your progress with X-rays. If the bones move, you might need another surgery.