Hand and Finger Injuries Treated by an Orthopedic Hand Specialist in Arlington, VA
The hands are integral to many daily activities that involve touching, grasping, feeling, holding or manipulating. Because the fingers are relatively fragile, they are among the most easily injured body parts, especially during sports.
It can be difficult to judge the severity of a finger injury without professional help. Sometimes, what appears to be a simple bruise (contusion) is actually a more serious avulsion fracture. It is important to know what you are dealing with because an untreated finger fracture can lead to complications, such as persistent stiffness, deformity or malunion, which occurs when a broken bone does not heal in the optimal position. For an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, you can confidently turn to Dr. Cassie G. Root, the hand specialist at Nirschl Orthopedic Center in Arlington, Virginia.
Bruise vs. Fracture
A bruised finger can sometimes be just as painful as a broken finger. However, instead of breaking a bone, the trauma causes bleeding under the skin. In addition to pain, the symptoms of both types of finger injuries can include:
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Discoloration
- Loss of finger mobility
A bruise can take a few weeks to fully heal. As it does, it may change in color from bluish-purple to greenish-yellow and finally to yellowish-brown before it goes away. On the other hand, a finger fracture can take up to a few months to mend. It is important to keep in mind that a broken bone has lost integrity, and this is true whether it has a tiny hairline crack that is barely visible on an X-ray or it has shattered into multiple fragments.
How Is a Broken Finger Diagnosed?
To diagnose a finger injury, Dr. Root will typically ask about the circumstances of the trauma, perform a physical examination and order an X-ray. For a relatively minor fracture, she may apply a splint or tape the injured finger to an adjacent finger to provide support and minimize movement. She may also suggest applying an ice pack to help reduce swelling as needed. Usually, a stable finger fracture will completely heal within four to six weeks. However, a severe finger fracture may require more extensive treatment, such as surgery.
In general, you should seek medical care for a finger injury if your symptoms are severe or persistent, if you experience numbness in your hand or if you have bruising and limitation in your range of motion. If you cannot control the bleeding or if a bone is exposed, you should seek emergency treatment at the nearest hospital ER. Otherwise, contact Nirschl Orthopaedic Center at (703) 525-2200 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Root in Arlington, VA.