Broken Hand – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
A broken hand occurs when one or more bones in the hand crack or break completely. This injury typically results from direct impacts, falls, or vehicle accidents.
Severe breaks might shatter bones into multiple fragments, often requiring surgery to repair properly.
Certain factors increase your risk of experiencing a hand fracture. These include:
- Participating in contact sports (football, hockey)
- Having osteoporosis (a condition that weakens bones)
When bones heal incorrectly, they can affect your ability to perform simple daily tasks like writing or fastening buttons. Hand fractures range from simple cracks to complex breaks. The treatment approach depends on the severity and location of the break.
Signs and Symptoms
When someone breaks a hand, certain physical signs typically appear. Pain is usually the first and most obvious symptom, often becoming worse when trying to grip objects or move the fingers.
Swelling generally develops within 30 minutes after the injury and may continue increasing for up to 2 days.
Most hand fractures cause visible bruising that appears dark blue or purple. The bruise may change colors over time, turning greenish or yellow as it heals.
Deformity might be noticeable if the broken bone has moved out of its normal position, making the hand look misshapen compared to the uninjured hand.
Movement problems are common with broken hands. Many people experience:
- Difficulty or inability to move fingers
- Stiffness in the hand or fingers
- Numbness in fingers or parts of the hand
- Weakness when trying to grip objects
Some patients report a grinding or snapping sensation when moving their fingers. This happens when the broken bone ends rub against each other.
In severe cases, the bone might break through the skin, creating an open wound – a condition doctors call an “open fracture” that requires immediate medical attention.
Physical changes to the hand often include shortening of the affected finger if the fracture causes the bone to collapse or compress. The finger might also rotate abnormally if the break allows the bone to twist out of position.
What Causes Hand Fractures
Hand fractures happen when one or more bones in the hand break due to force or trauma. These injuries are quite common.
Most hand fractures result from accidents. Falling onto an outstretched hand is a frequent cause, especially during sports or everyday activities. Car accidents and workplace injuries can also lead to broken hands.
Sports injuries cause many hand fractures. Contact sports like football, hockey, and boxing put players at higher risk. Even non-contact sports like basketball can lead to hand injuries when players fall or jam their fingers.
Common causes include:
- Falls onto an outstretched hand
- Direct blows to the hand
- Crushing injuries
- Sports accidents
- Vehicle crashes
- Workplace accidents
Some medical conditions can make bones weaker and more likely to break. These include:
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer affecting the bones
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Certain genetic disorders
Stress fractures may develop from repeated motion or overuse. These tiny cracks form slowly over time rather than from a single injury. Musicians, typists, and factory workers sometimes develop these fractures.
Age also plays a role in hand fracture risk. Children’s bones are more flexible and may bend rather than break completely. Older adults have more brittle bones that break more easily, even from minor falls.
When To Get Emergency Help for Hand Injuries
Some hand injuries need immediate medical care. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you notice:
- Severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest or pain relievers
- Obvious deformity where your hand or fingers look bent at an unnatural angle
- Open wound with bone visible through the skin
- Numbness or complete loss of feeling in part of your hand
- Inability to move your fingers or thumb
- Blue or white fingertips, which may indicate blood flow problems
- Extreme swelling that starts immediately after injury
Don’t delay seeking help for these symptoms. Quick treatment can prevent long-term problems like permanent stiffness, weakness, or nerve damage.
