How are phalanges fractures treated?

Most phalangeal fractures can be treated successfully with nonoperative means. Surgery is considered to treat unstable injuries, articular incongruity, concomitant soft tissue damage, or other situations in which restoration of anatomy and preservation of function are achieved only via operative stabilization.

How long do you have to wear a splint for a distal phalanx fracture?

Fractures of the distal phalanx Tight circumferential taping around the fingertip should not be used because of an increased risk of circulatory compromise. Splinting is generally maintained for about 2-3 weeks. Avulsion of the nail plate and injury to the nail bed is often associated with tuft fractures.

How do you heal a distal phalanx fracture?

Distal tuft fractures Since there are few deforming forces about the distal phalanx, these fractures can usually be treated in a closed manner with simple splinting, closed reduction and splinting, or closed reduction and percutaneous fixation.

How long does it take for a proximal phalanx fracture to heal?

Proximal phalanx fractures will often be clinically healed 4 weeks status post injury, at which time it is unlikely that the fracture will displace. A method of qualifying this is lack of discomfort when direct manual pressure is applied to the injured bone.

Should you bend a fractured finger?

You may not always be sure the finger is broken and try to bend it. If it’s broken, doing so will usually be painful. Don’t be fooled if you can still move the finger. In some cases, there may still be some range of motion and only dull pain.

What is the most common finger fracture?

The distal phalanx is the most commonly fractured bone in the hand, followed by the metacarpals [3]. The bones of the hand and wrist are shown in the figure (figure 1). Metacarpal fractures are seen more often in adults, whereas phalangeal fractures are more common in children [2].

What does a broken distal phalanx feel like?

Fractures to the finger tip (distal phalanx) are common from smashing injuries to the fingernail. The symptoms of this type of injury may be swelling and bruising to the finger pad and purple-colored blood underneath the fingernail (subungual hematoma).

How long does a fractured finger tip take to heal?

Breaks in the bones of the finger usually heal well in about 3 to 4 weeks. The pain and swelling from a broken finger can last for weeks. But it should steadily improve, starting a few days after you break it.

Do you need a cast for a proximal phalanx fracture?

If your proximal phalanx fracture is stable and undisplaced (ie the fragments are still in their normal position) it is unlikely that you will need surgery. Your fracture can be treated with splinting, taping or casting (or a combination of all three of these).

Can you move a fractured finger?

A true fracture usually will be painful, but a broken finger may still have some range of motion and dull pain, and the individual may still be able to move it.

How is a phalangeal fracture of the finger treated?

Phalangeal fractures of the finger are typically due to direct blows to the hand. Most phalangeal fractures are treated with a splint, but unstable fractures may require surgical treatment to prevent complications such as stiffness and malunion.

How long can you splint a distal phalanx fracture?

The goal of treatment is to restore congruence of joint surfaces as well as anatomic alignment. A majority of non-displaced fractures of the distal phalanx can be splinted with the DIP joint in extension for 3-4 weeks. Most non-displaced proximal phalangeal fractures can be managed with a splint or even “buddy taping”.

How is a splint applied for a finger fracture?

Application. In reduced, volar avulsion fractures, the splint is applied with the PIP joint at 45 degrees of flexion and secured at the proximal finger, allowing flexion at the PIP joint (Figure 6). With weekly lateral radiography, the flexion is decreased 15 degrees until reaching full extension over four weeks. Buddy taping should follow.

What causes swelling in the distal phalanx of the hand?

Soft tissue trauma can cause swelling within the (confined) fibrous septae found in the pulp of the distal phalanx; blood can thereby accumulate. Fractures are also seen with complex skin lacerations and nailbed injuries, such as subungual hematomas. Flexor or extensor tendon injury may be seen with middle and distal phalangeal fractures.