Hand Fractures

Fractures of the hand may occur in either the small bones of the fingers or in the long metacarpal bones. Often caused by a direct blow or fall, a hand fracture may result in one or several broken hand bones.

Characterized by severe hand pain that is increased when gripping or squeezing, swelling, tenderness, bruising, deformity, numbness, and stiffness or inability to move your fingers or thumb, a hand fracture can lead to poor healing if you don’t see a doctor right away.

A hand doctor may recommend a nonsurgical treatment method, such as wearing a cast, splint, or fracture brace, to realign your bones by immobilizing them. However, if nonsurgical methods prove unsuccessful in realigning and stabilizing your bones, the orthopedic hand doctor may recommend surgery.