Hand Fracture

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A hand fracture (frak-shur) is a break in one or more of the bones in the hand. It may also be called a "boxer's fracture." With a boxer's fracture, the hand bone that connects to the little finger is broken. Hand bones can be broken in many different ways, like during a fall or an accident when a closed fist hits something. People who punch walls or box without wearing boxing gloves often get a boxer's fracture.
  
  
• The hand that is broken may hurt and look swollen or bruised. If the skin breaks it may also bleed. Your hand may feel weak, numb, or tingly. Your hand may not look normal or may even look bent if the bones are out of place. Your caregiver may need to push the bones back into place. You may need surgery if you have a bad fracture. Healing of the broken bone usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. An x-ray will show when the broken bone is healed.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

• The most important part of treating a fractured hand is resting the hand while it heals. Resting your hand lessens swelling and allows the injury to heal. When the pain decreases, begin normal, slow movements.
  
  
• Ice causes blood vessels to constrict (get small) which helps lessen inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness). Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel. Put this on your hand for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as long as you need it. Do not sleep on the ice pack because you can get frostbite.
  
  
• Caregivers may put a cast or splint on your hand to keep your hand bones from moving while they heal. Move the fingers of your casted hand several times a day. This will lessen the swelling and keep the hand from getting stiff.
  
  
  • Follow these instructions if you have a plaster or fiberglass cast.
    
    
    • Do not push down or lean on any part of the cast because it may break.
      
      
    • Check the skin around the cast every day. You may put lotion on any red or sore areas.
      
      
    • Do not scratch the skin under the cast by putting a sharp or pointed object down the cast.
      
      
    • If you have a plaster cast, do not let it get wet. When you take a bath, cover the cast with a plastic bag that is taped closed at the top. Or, put a rubber band around the plastic bag. Remove the plastic bag and tape or rubber band right after you finish bathing. If a plaster cast gets wet and soft, call your caregiver. Sometimes you can dry the wet part of a cast using a hair dryer set on low. If you have a fiberglass cast and it gets wet, it can be dried using a hair dryer set on low.
    
    
  • Follow these instructions if you have a splint.
    
    
    • Wear the splint for as long as your caregiver suggests.
      
      
    • You may remove the splint each day to wash your hand.
      
      
    • Put your splint back on as soon as possible. When retaping, make sure the splint is in the same place and position. You may also retape the splint if it gets wet. If your fingers are numb or tingling, the splint may be too tight. Loosen the tape so your fingers are comfortable.
  
  
• Keep your hand raised above your heart whenever possible for 48 to 72 hours. This helps lessen both pain and swelling.
  
  
• Medicines:
  
  
  • Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. If you think it is not helping or if you feel you are having side effects, call your caregiver. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver.
    
    
  • Keep a written list of what medicines you are taking and when you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregiver(s). Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines.
    
    
  • You may use ibuprofen (i-bew-pro-fin) and acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-min-o-fin) for your pain. These may be bought as over-the-counter medicine. Do not take ibuprofen if you are allergic to aspirin.
    
    
  • If you scratched or tore some skin, you may also need a tetanus shot or antibiotic (an-ti-bi-ah-tik) medicine. If you got a tetanus shot, your arm may get swollen, red, and warm to touch at the shot site. This is a normal reaction to the medicine in the shot.
    
    
  • If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your cast gets damaged or breaks.
  
  
• You have bad pain that does not go away.
  
  
• You have more swelling than you did before the cast was put on.
  
  
• There is a bad smell from your cast.
  
  
• There are new blood stains coming from under the cast.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your skin or fingernails of the casted hand turn blue or grey.
  
  
• Your casted hand feels cold or numb.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page