Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries

Overview

At one time or another, everyone has had a minor injury to a finger, hand, or wrist that caused pain or swelling. Most of the time our body movements don't cause problems. But sometimes symptoms can develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury.

Finger, hand, or wrist injuries most often occur during:

• Sports or recreational activities.
• Work-related tasks.
• Work or projects around the home. This is most likely if machinery is used, such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, or hand tools.
• Accidental falls.
• Fistfights.

The risk of finger, hand, or wrist injury is higher in contact sports, such as wrestling, football, or soccer. The risk is also higher in high-speed sports, such as biking, in-line skating, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. Sports that require weight-bearing on the hands and arms, such as gymnastics, can increase the risk for injury. Sports that use hand equipment such as ski poles, hockey or lacrosse sticks, or racquets also increase the risk of injury.

In children, most finger, hand, or wrist injuries occur during sports or play or from accidental falls. Any injury that occurs at the end of a long bone near a joint may injure the growth plate (physis). It needs to be checked by a doctor.

Older adults are at higher risk for injuries and fractures. That's because they lose muscle mass and bone strength as they age. They also have more problems with vision and balance, which increases their risk of accidental injury.

Most minor injuries will heal on their own. Home treatment is usually all that's needed to relieve symptoms and help you heal.

Sudden (acute) injury

An acute injury may occur from a direct blow, a penetrating injury, or a fall. Or it can happen when you twist, jerk, jam, or bend a limb in a way that isn't normal. Pain may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may occur soon after the injury. Acute injuries include:

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries occur when too much stress is placed on a joint or other tissue. This can happen when you overdo an activity or repeat an activity over and over. These injuries include:

Treatment

Treatment for a finger, hand, or wrist injury may include first aid, medicine, and "buddy-taping" for support. It also may include a brace, splint, or cast and physical therapy. In some cases, surgery is needed. Treatment depends on:

• The location and type of injury, and how bad it is.
• How long ago the injury occurred.
• Your age, health condition, and activities (such as work, sports, or hobbies).

Self-Care

First aid for a possible broken bone

Most minor finger, hand, and wrist injuries will heal on their own. Home treatment is usually all that's needed. But if you think that you might have a more severe injury, use first aid until you can be seen by a doctor.

• If a bone is sticking out of the skin, don't try to push it back into the skin. Cover the area with a clean bandage.
• Control bleeding with direct pressure to the wound.
• Remove all rings and bracelets. It may be hard to remove the jewelry after swelling occurs. And that can cause other serious problems, such as a compressed nerve or restricted blood flow.
• Free a trapped finger or hand from an object, such as a pipe, toy, or jar.
• Splint the injured area without trying to straighten the injured limb. Loosen the wrap around the splint if there are signs that the wrap is too tight. Signs include numbness, tingling, increased pain, swelling, and cool skin below the wrap. A problem called compartment syndrome can occur.

Minor finger, hand, or wrist injury

Try the following tips to help relieve hand or wrist pain, swelling, and stiffness.

• Remove all jewelry.

  Remove rings, bracelets, and any other jewelry that goes around a finger or wrist. It will be hard to remove the jewelry after swelling starts.

• Rest.

  It's important to rest and protect the injured or sore area. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness.

• Use ice.

  Put ice or a cold pack on the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake).

• Wrap the injured or sore area.

  Compression, or wrapping the area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help reduce swelling. Don't wrap it too tightly, because that can cause more swelling below the injured or sore area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, and swelling in the area below the bandage.

• Elevate the injured or sore area.

  Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling. Prop up the area on pillows while you apply ice and anytime you sit or lie down.

• Don't use your injured hand or wrist for the first 24 hours after an injury, if possible.
• Support your hand or wrist.

  A wrist splint can help support an injured wrist.

• Avoid things that might increase swelling.

  For the first 48 hours after an injury, avoid things that might increase swelling. These things include hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, and drinks that contain alcohol.

• Apply heat.
  • After 2 or 3 days, you can try applying heat to the area that hurts. Types of heat therapy include microwavable packs and disposable heating patches.
  • Apply heat for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
  • You might also try switching between cold and heat.
• Rub the area.

  Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and to encourage blood flow. Don't massage the injured area if it causes pain.

• Treat blisters.

  Use a loose bandage to protect them.

• Don't smoke or use other tobacco products.

  Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair.

If you need to use a wrap or splint for more than 48 hours, you may have a more serious injury that needs to be checked by a doctor.

Treating a sore or sprained finger

Here are some things you can do at home to treat a sore or sprained finger.

• Rest.

  It's important to rest and protect the injured or sore area. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness.

• Use ice.

  Put ice or a cold pack on your finger for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake).

• Wrap the injured or sore area.

  Compression, or wrapping the area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help reduce swelling.

  • Don't wrap it too tightly, because that can cause more swelling below the injured or sore area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, and swelling in the area below the bandage.
  • Talk to your doctor if you think that you need to use a wrap for longer than 48 to 72 hours. You may have a more serious problem.
• Elevate the injured or sore area.

  Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling. Prop up the area on pillows while you apply ice and anytime you sit or lie down.

• "Buddy-tape" your sore or sprained finger.

  Tape your injured finger to the uninjured finger next to it. Protect the skin by putting some soft padding, such as felt or foam, between your fingers before you tape them together. Your injured finger may need to be buddy-taped for 2 to 4 weeks to heal. If your injured finger hurts more after you buddy-tape it, remove the tape.

  Never splint a finger in a completely straight position, such as on a Popsicle stick. For proper healing, the finger should be slightly bent and in a relaxed position.

  Do not use buddy-tape if you have diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.

• Avoid things that might increase swelling.

  For the first 48 hours after the injury, avoid things that might increase swelling. These things include hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, and drinks that contain alcohol.

• Apply heat.
  • After 2 or 3 days, you can try applying heat to the area that hurts. Types of heat therapy include microwavable packs and disposable heating patches.
  • Apply heat for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
  • You might also try switching between cold and heat.

Signs of possible abuse

Most injuries are not caused by abuse. But bruises are often the first sign of possible abuse. Suspect physical abuse of a child or vulnerable adult when:

• Any injury cannot be explained or does not match the explanation.
• Repeated injuries occur.
• Explanations change for how the injury happened.

You may be able to prevent further injuries by reporting abuse. Seek help if:

• You suspect child abuse or elder abuse. Call your local child or adult protective agency, police, or a health professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or counselor.
• You or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).
• You have trouble controlling your anger with a child or other person in your care.

When to call for help during self-care

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

• New or worse pain or swelling.
• New signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, pus, or a fever.
• New or worse numbness, tingling, or cool and pale skin.
• Movement or strength decreases.
• Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

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