We use our hands for everything. When your hand is injured, it can seriously impact your quality of life. Simple tasks become almost impossible to complete on your own. To ensure that a full recovery is made, it is important to know the extent of your injury. Particularly, you will want to know whether or not your hand is fractured. But, how can you tell if this is the case? Well, let’s find out.
Consult with a Hand Doctor
If you suspect that your hand may be fractured, the best thing you can do is consult with a hand doctor. First, they will ask you questions regarding any symptoms and your level of pain. They will then perform a physical examination. This will include checking for tenderness, range of motion, and any visible deformities. At this point, if they believe there is a possible fracture, the doctor will likely use imaging equipment to confirm the presence of a fracture and how serious it is. Types of imaging they may use include:
● X-Rays: This is the most common type of imaging used. An x-ray provides clear images of bones and can show the location and extent of the fracture.
● CT Scans: CT scans are much more detailed than X-rays. They may be used to evaluate complex fractures, including those involving joints, or to assess the degree of bone displacement.
● MRI: This is used to detect more subtle fractures or stress fractures. They can also be used to assess any soft tissue damage around the fracture.
After your consultation with a hand doctor, they will be able to tell you if your hand is fractured. They will also be able to suggest a course of treatment.
Common Causes of Fractures
With how much we use our hands, it is not surprising that they are one of the body parts most prone to fractures. Common causes of hand fractures include:
● Falls: When someone falls, they will often stretch their arm and hand out to brace for impact. The force of hitting the ground will often cause a fracture in the hand.
● Direct Blows: A direct impact to the hand, such as in a car accident or work place accident, can lead to fractures.
● Sports: Many sports involve a risk of hand fractures due to falls, direct impacts, or twisting motions.
● Crushing: When the hand experiences a crushing force, multiple fractures often occur.
● Twisting: Sudden, violent twisting motions can cause fractures. Fractures created in this way are often in the metacarpal bones.
If any of the above caused your hand injury, it is quite possible that you have suffered a fracture.
Symptoms of Fractures
There are a number of symptoms which can help you identify a hand fracture. Such symptoms include:
● Severe pain in the hand that worsens with movement.
● Noticeable, severe swelling and bruising around the injured area.
● The hand or fingers appearing crooked or out of place.
● Difficulty moving the hand or fingers.
● Numbness or tingling sensation in the hand or fingers.
● A loud grinding or crackling sound when moving the injured area.
● Difficulty holding or grabbing objects.
If any of the above are present, it is quite possible that a fracture is present. You should see a hand doctor as soon as possible for confirmation and treatment.
Treatments
Fortunately, hand fractures are relatively easy to treat. Treatment usually comes in one of two forms. These are immobilization and surgery. Immobilization simply means ensuring the hand cannot move so that healing can occur. This is done with a splint or a cast. More severe fractures may require surgery. This consists of realigning the bone fragments and stabilizing them with plates, screws, or pins. This hardware may be removed after healing is complete or may be a permanent fixture.
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
When it comes to broken hand recovery, there is no one answer for how long it will take. If surgery is not needed, a recovery will usually take 6-8 weeks. When surgery is needed, recovery takes a little longer, usually 8-12 weeks. However, it should be noted that it often takes a few months to regain full range of motion in your hand.
Read more medical articles at ClichéMag.com
Images provided by Deposit Photos, BingAI, Adobe Stock, Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay Freepik, & Creative Commons. Other images might be provided with permission by their respective copyright holders.
