Hand Fracture

The symptoms of a hand fracture vary depending on the severity of the fracture and which bone or bones are affected. 

Common symptoms of a hand fracture include: 

• pain that’s often worse when squeezing your fingers together or moving your hand

• tenderness, swelling and/or bruising in the affected area 

• deformity (if your hand looks a strange shape, or a finger is out of place)

• difficulty moving your fingers

• one of your fingers appears shorter than the others 

• numbness or tingling

Common causes of hand fractures include falls, crush injuries, sports injuries, direct blows (like punching or striking something), accidents involving machinery, and car accidents. 

You may have a higher risk of hand fractures if you have a condition such as osteoporosis that causes weaker, more fragile bones.

At your appointment, you’ll see a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who will ask you about your symptoms, general health, and medical history. They’ll ask you how the fracture occurred and what symptoms you experienced at the time of the injury. 

Your consultant will examine your hand to check for signs of a fracture, such as any visible cuts or abrasions, bruising, swelling, tenderness, deformity, numbness or tingling and how well you can move your hand. 

You’ll likely need an X-ray to confirm your diagnosis and identify the location and severity of your fracture.

Hand fractures can't always be prevented, but you may be able to reduce the risk of fracturing your hand by: 

• always using the correct protective equipment and technique when participating in sports or tasks where you use your hands 

• increasing lighting in your home to reduce the risk of falls

• removing trip hazards from your home, such as low tables, cables, and rugs 

• installing handrails and grab rails in your home if you’re at risk of falls 

• wearing nonslip footwear that supports and protects your feet 

• doing hand exercises to increase muscle strength and flexibility in your hands 

• increasing your levels of calcium and vitamin D (from diet and adequate sun exposure) 

• if you have osteoporosis, follow the guidance of your consultant to help manage your condition and reduce the risk of fractures

Most hand fractures can be treated successfully and do not cause long-term complications; however, an untreated hand fracture can lead to problems such as: 

• permanent deformity of your hand/fingers 

• long-term pain and stiffness

• a weak grip

• a higher risk of developing arthritis in the future

Treatment for hand fractures depends on the type of fracture. 

Simple fractures can often be treated with nonsurgical treatment, whereas more complex fractures may need surgery. 

Nonsurgical treatments for hand fractures include: 

• closed reduction – if your fracture is displaced, your consultant can gently manipulate the bones back into position without surgery 

• a cast, splint or brace – may be applied to immobilise your hand and keep the bones in the correct position while they heal. You’ll normally have to wear the cast for around 3 to 6 weeks

• buddy strapping  – involves strapping your fractured finger to the next non-injured finger to support and immobilise your finger while it heals

• medication – such as over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol 

• elevation – keep your hand raised on a cushion or pillow to reduce swelling during your recovery

You’ll probably need to have further X-rays after around 1 to 2 weeks to ensure that the bones are healing properly. You can usually begin gentle hand exercises after 3 weeks.

Surgical treatments for hand fractures include: 

• open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) – is a procedure to realign and stabilise a fracture using wires, screws, pins, staples, or plates

• percutaneous minimal access fixation – a minimally invasive procedure where pins or wires are inserted through small skin incisions to stabilise the fracture 

• external fixation – the fracture is stabilised using pins inserted through your skin and an external metal frame. It may be used for complex, unstable fractures 

After your surgery, you’ll probably need to wear a splint or cast for a period of time to immobilise and protect your bone while it heals.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.