Broken Hand – Diagnosis and Treatment
Many people experience injuries like strains and sprains during everyday activities, sports, or accidents. These injuries often affect the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the body and can lead to pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Understanding how strains and sprains happen, as well as the best ways to manage them, helps people recover faster and prevent future problems.
Diagnosis
A doctor begins by examining the hand for swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity, or limited range of motion. They may ask how the injury occurred and whether there was direct trauma, a fall, or twisting motion involved.
To confirm the diagnosis, doctors typically order X-rays, which can show fractures in the metacarpal bones (bones of the hand), carpal bones (bones of the wrist), or nearby structures.
In some cases, additional imaging may be needed:
- CT scans provide more detailed images of complex or small fractures, especially in joints or multiple break locations.
- MRI scans can detect damage to soft tissues, ligaments, or small fractures not seen on X-ray.
- These tests can reveal injuries involving the radius, ulna, scaphoid, or surrounding wrist and forearm structures.
Doctors use this information to assess the location, severity, and alignment of the fracture. This helps determine whether treatment will involve splinting, casting, or surgical repair.
Ways to Stabilize the Bone
Keeping the Hand Still
You must hold the hand steady after a fracture so the bone mends the right way. Doctors often use a splint or a special kind of cast to stop the hand or fingers from moving.
A thumb spica helps if the thumb is injured. Keeping the hand higher than the heart lowers swelling and reduces pain.
Even while the hand is protected, light finger movements are usually encouraged to prevent joint stiffness, unless a healthcare provider advises against it.
Medicine for Pain and Infection
Pain management plays an important role in early treatment. Most people start with common pain pills, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If pain is very strong, doctors may give a short prescription for a stronger medication.
Sometimes, pain-relieving NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) should not be taken for long periods, as they might slow down bone healing, so checking with a doctor is important.
If the skin is broken near the fracture, doctors prescribe antibiotics to stop infection from reaching the bone.
Exercises and Physical Rehabilitation
Once the cast, splint, or other device is removed, rehabilitation therapy often begins. This may include special range of motion exercises and stretches for the hand and fingers to reduce stiffness.
A physical therapist teaches exercises to improve movement and help the hand regain strength, especially grip strength. Recovery can take several months, with activities added slowly and as tolerated.
| Goal | What It Helps |
|---|---|
| Stretching | Improves flexibility. |
| Strength training | Restores grip strength. |
| Range of motion work | Prevents joint stiffness. |
Advanced Medical Techniques
Some hand injuries require medical procedures beyond steadying the hand with a cast or splint. If the bone pieces are out of place, a doctor realigns them through a process called fracture reduction.
Sometimes doctors do this without surgery, but in other cases, they perform open reduction and internal fixation. In these cases, the surgeon inserts metal pins, plates, rods, or screws to hold the bones together.
If there is major damage like an open fracture, loose pieces inside a joint, or harm to blood vessels or nerves, the surgeon operates. Sometimes a bone graft helps the bones heal.
Doctors check progress with X-rays to be sure the bones stay in the right position. If the alignment changes, doctors adjust treatment or perform surgery as needed.
Getting Ready for Your Medical Visit
Steps You Can Take Before the Appointment
Preparing for a doctor’s visit helps make the process smoother and keeps important details from being missed. Here are a few things patients can do ahead of time:
List Your Symptoms: Write down all symptoms, including hand pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, numbness, or trouble moving fingers. Note when the symptoms started and how the injury happened.
Gather Medical Information: Bring a summary of your own and your family’s medical history, especially any conditions that affect bone health or healing.
Record Medications: Make a list of all medications and supplements, including dosages. This helps the doctor avoid drug interactions and plan proper care.
Prepare Questions: Think about what you want to ask the doctor. Here are some example questions:
| Question Type | Possible Questions |
| Diagnosis and Tests | What tests will I need? |
| Treatment | Will I need a cast or splint, and for how long? |
| Surgery | Is an operation necessary for my fractured hand or wrist? |
| Recovery | Will I need exercises or therapy after my cast comes off? |
| Limitations | Are there any movements or activities I should avoid? |
| Specialist Referral | Should I see an orthopedic specialist? |
Tip: Using a notebook or your phone to keep track of everything can be helpful.
What Your Healthcare Provider May Ask or Do
During the visit, the doctor gathers details to make the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Hereโs what may happen:
- Questions About the Injury: The doctor may ask how the injury occurred, whether the hand or wrist bent in a certain direction, and which hand is dominant.
- Medical History: The doctor may ask about previous injuries, surgeries, or ongoing health problems.
- Symptoms Review: Expect the doctor to ask about hand pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, trouble moving fingers, or symptoms that could point to infection.
- Physical Examination: The doctor looks for signs of swelling, bruising, and tenderness. They may gently press on the wrist and hand to check for areas that hurt.
- Possible Tests: The doctor orders X-rays or other imaging to check for bone fractures or see if broken pieces are out of place.
