What is a Broken hand?
A broken hand is a break or crack in one or more of the bones of your hand This injury can be caused by direct blows or falls Motor vehicle crashes can cause hand bones to break into many pieces and often require surgical repair
You may be at higher risk of a broken hand if you participate in contact sports like football or hockey or if you have a condition in which bones become thinner and more fragile (osteoporosis).
It is important to treat a broken hand as soon as possible. Otherwise the bones may not heal properly which may affect your ability to do daily activities such as writing or buttoning a shirt. Early treatment will also help minimize pain and stiffness.
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| Broken hand |
A broken hand happens when one or additional bones in your hand break as a result of an associate degree accident, fall, or contact sports. The metacarpals (long bones of the palm) and therefore the phalanges (finger bones) conjure the bones in your hand.This injury is additionally referred to as a broken hand. Some individuals may additionally talk over it as a prospect or crack. To be diagnosed as a broken hand, the bone should be affected — one in every of the bones is also broken into multiple pieces, or many bones may be affected. This can be different from a sprained hand, that is the result of an injury to the muscle, tendon, or ligament. If you believe you have got a broken hand, see a doctor immediately. they'll diagnose and treat your injury. the earlier you get medical attention, the higher your hand can heal.
Medical terms
Broken hand is a type of repetitive strain injury that is caused by overuse of the hand and wrist muscles. Symptoms of broken hands can vary, but usually include a dull ache or pain in the hand or wrist, as well as a decreased mobility in the joints. It is possible for a person to suffer from a broken hand without ever realizing it, as the symptoms can be quite subtle. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition, as proper treatment is essential for a full recovery.
Broken hand is a condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the hand. It is caused by a traumatic injury or even an overuse injury. Broken hands can be treated with medication and physical therapy but in some cases, surgery may be needed. Some of the most common treatments for broken hands are rest, ice, compression, elevation, medication, and physical therapy.
Broken hand is an injury involving any of the bones, ligaments, or tendons in the hand. It is usually caused by an extreme incident such as a fall or a misstep. Broken hands can range from simple fractures that heal relatively quickly to much more serious conditions that may require surgical repair. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you think you may have broken your hand, as some conditions may worsen if left untreated.
Symptoms Broken hand
A broken hand might cause these signs and symptoms:
Severe pain that might worsen when gripping or squeezing or moving your hand
Swelling
Tenderness
Bruising
A crooked finger has obvious deformity
If you cannot move your fingers or thumb it is stiff
Numbness in your hand or fingers
When to call a doctor
A sharp pain and swelling in the hand can indicate a serious injury When you experience persistent pain regardless of whether it comes from arthritis accident or fall seek medical attention The following conditions need to be treated by a doctor: Severe pain not relieved by ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) Significant numbness tingling or weakness in the affected area Pain that doesn't go away after several weeks or months of home treatment and ice packs Throbbing pain that. radiates down into your fingers.
If a person's hand becomes swollen warm to the touch and painful after a strenuous workout at the gym or during vigorous household chores it is likely that they have strained their hand A strain can occur in any muscle or ligament of the forearm When this happens rest is essential to allow the muscle time to heal.
Visit a doctor as soon as you think you’ve broken your hand.
It’s especially important to see a doctor if you have:
difficulty moving your fingers
swelling
numbness
If you think you might have a broken hand see a doctor immediately Especially if you have numbness swelling or trouble moving your fingers A delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to poor healing decreased range of motion and decreased grip strength
Causes Broken hand
There are many things that will result in a broken hand, however most broken hands come back from 3 distinct mechanisms of injury:
Breaking a fall with an extended hand blooming a vehicle or bicycle whereas hands are holding a handwheel or handlebars Punching a tough surface In most cases, a broken hand refers to a fracture of the metacarpals, that are the bones that connect the bottom of the fingers to the wrist. These are the bones of the palm. In some cases, it refers to a fracture of the phalanges (finger bones), with or without a dislocation.
Hand fractures can be caused by a direct blow or crushing injury and motor vehicle crashes can cause hand bones to break into many pieces Sometimes these injuries require surgical repair
Risk factors Broken hand
But till you will look for medication attention, there are stuff you can do to worry for your hand. These embrace the subsequent tending procedures: Avoid moving your hand. attempt your best to immobilize your hand. If a bone has bumped off of place, don’t plan to line it. Apply ice. to cut back pain and swelling, fastidiously apply an ice pack or cold compress to your injury. continuously wrap the ice pack in an exceedingly clean fabric or towel first. Stop the bleeding. The goal of broken bone first aid is to limit more injury. It can additionally facilitate minimize pain and improve your recovery outlook. If you’re hemorrhaging, you probably have an open fracture, which means a bone is sticking out. During this case, visit the ER right away. till you'll get help, you can stop the bleeding by applying pressure and employing a clean fabric or bandage.
You may be more likely to break a hand if you participate in sports like football soccer rugby or hockey Osteoporosis can also increase your risk of breaking a hand
Complications Broken hand
Complications from a broken hand are rare but they may include:
Ongoing stiffness, aching or disability. Pain in the affected area generally goes away after your cast is removed or after surgery Some people have permanent pain Be patient with your recovery and talk to your doctor about exercises that might help or for a referral to physical or occupational therapy Occupational therapy is a way to help people with disabilities
Osteoarthritis.Fractures that extend into a joint can cause arthritis years later If your hand starts to hurt or swell long after a break see your doctor for an evaluation
Nerve or blood vessel damage.If you have a cut or injury to your hand seek immediate medical attention if you begin to feel numbness or if your circulation is affected
Prevention Broken hand
It's impossible to prevent the unforeseen events that often cause a broken hand However these tips might offer some protection
Build bone strength
To build strong bones:
Eat a nutritious diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D
Walk briskly for exercise Get plenty of exercise by walking briskly
Quit smoking if you're a smoker
Prevent falls
To prevent hand fractures people should not fall forward onto an outstretched hand
Wear sensible shoes
Remove things that could trip you in your home such as throw rugs
Light up your living space
Have your eyes checked and if needed corrected
Install grab bars in your bathroom
Install handrails on your stairways
Avoid slippery surfaces, if possible, such as snow- or ice-covered walkways
What are some common hand injuries?
Hand injuries occur frequently at work and can cause loss of time working disability or permanent damage Arthritis often is the result of repetitive stress to one part of the body and this can happen in the hand without any recognizable injury if an individual performs a particular task over a long period of time Factors that affect arthritis are age sex and race Carpal tunnel syndrome is also common in our society as we use computers more than ever before.
How do you know if a hand injury is serious?
A broken hand is one of the most common injuries sustained It can be caused by impact such as falling on an outstretched hand or damage to the bones within the hand by a fall onto a hard object such as a rock Many people who suffer this injury don't seek medical attention immediately because they feel it isn't serious or their pain may not be severe enough to go to the emergency room right away However a broken bone in your hand should never be ignored and left untreated If you suspect that you have broken your hand do not delay seeking medical care from an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand injuries.
What is the most common hand injury?
Hand injuries are the most common type of injury in the United States and at least 20 percent of people will experience a hand injury at some point According to the National Library of Medicine hand injuries affect both men and women equally; however injuries that require surgery tend to be more common among men The finger is the most commonly injured body part with cuts being the most common type of injury according.
What is a hand strain?
A hand strain is an inflammation of muscles and tendons in the wrists and hands Plantar fasciitis a similar injury to the feet is also known as "arch pain." In most cases it will get better after two or three weeks if you take some steps to rest your body and prevent reinjury; but sometimes plantar fasciitis can last for years without treatment Calf strains are more likely to occur because they need to be over-stretched when running and jumping activities are performed which cause the muscle fibers to become torn.
Should I go to the hospital if my hand is swollen?
If you experience a hand injury it can cause swelling. The severity of the swelling is dependent on how serious your injury was and how long it took for the swelling to appear. Swelling should be checked by a medical professional as swelling that starts suddenly may stem from more serious underlying injuries.
What do you do with a hand injury?
Hand injuries are common because of the delicate and intricate movements involved in everyday hand work When a hand injury does occur you should clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and cover it with sterile gauze Bandaging will help keep the injured area from moving around and further injuring itself If an object cuts your finger or punctures your skin you may need stitches to close up the wound - typically within two days of its occurrence If you don't get stitches right away ask your doctor about how to care for a hand injury at home until you can get treated by him.
Diagnosis Broken hand
The diagnosis of a broken hand includes a physical exam and X-rays
Physical examination A doctor will check your hand for swelling, bruising, and different signs of damage. They would possibly additionally examine the encircling areas, like your gliding joint and arm. This may facilitate them confirming the severity of your injury.
Anamnesis enables the doctor to find out regarding any underlying conditions you will have. For example, if you have got pathology or a previous hand injury, they will perceive what may have contributed to your injury. If you were late during a crash, they’ll raise about what happened and the way your hand was injured.
X-ray A doctor will have you get an X-ray. they'll use this imaging to take a look at to spot the situation and direction of the break. -- It also can facilitate the rule out different potential conditions, sort of a sprain.
Treatment Broken hand
If the broken ends of the bone are not aligned there will be gaps between the pieces of bone or fragments might overlap Your doctor will need to manipulate the pieces back into position a procedure known as a reduction Depending on your pain and swelling you may need an injection in the area You may feel a slight sting or tingling before this procedure
Whatever your treatment it is important to move your fingers regularly while the fracture is healing Ask your doctor about the best ways to move them If you smoke quit smoking Smoking can delay or prevent bone healing
Immobilization
Restricting movement of a broken bone in your hand is critical to proper healing To do this you'll likely need a splint or cast You'll be advised to keep your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain
Medications
Your doctor might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever If your pain is severe you may need an opioid medication such as codeine
If you have an open fracture in which you have a wound or break in the skin near the wound site you will likely be given an antibiotic to prevent infection that could reach the bone
Therapy
After your cast or splint is removed you will likely need rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy to reduce stiffness and restore movement in your hand Rehabilitation can help but it can take several months or longer for complete healing
Surgical and other procedures
You might need surgery to implant pins, plates, rods or screws to hold your bones in place while they heal. A bone graft might be used to help healing. These options might be necessary if you have:
An open fracture
A broken bone that does not heal
Loose bone fragments that could enter a joint
Damage to the ligaments nerves or blood vessels around the area
Fractures that extend into a joint
When bones are reduced and immobilized with a cast or splint they can shift Your doctor likely will monitor your progress with X-rays If your bones move you might then need surgery
- Healthy foods for the musculoskeletal system
- Rehabilitation program and health tips for the musculoskeletal system
Preparing for your appointment
If the pieces of broken bone aren't lined up properly to allow healing you might be referred to a doctor specializing in orthopedic surgery
What you can do
You may want to write a list that includes:
A description of your symptoms and the place and time when you were injured
Information about your family's medical history
You must take all the medications and dietary supplements you take including doses
Questions you want to ask the doctor
For a broken hand ask your doctor:
What tests do I need?
What's the best course of action?
Will I need surgery?
Will I need to wear a cast? If so, how long will it take?
Will I need physical therapy when the cast comes off?
There are certain rules that I need to follow
Should I see a specialist?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor might ask:
What is your occupation?
When the decoupage dries it becomes a clear glue
Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Where does it hurt and which movements make it hurt more or less?
Have you had previous hand injuries or surgery?
General summary
Hand injuries are common because of the delicate and intricate movements involved in everyday hand work When a hand injury does occur you should clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and cover it with sterile gauze Bandaging will help keep the injured area from moving around and further injuring itself If an object cuts your finger or punctures your skin you may need stitches to close up the wound - typically within two days of its occurrence If you don't get stitches right away ask your doctor about how to care for a hand injury at home until you can get treated by him.