Finger Fracture in Children
A finger fracture is a break in any of the finger bones.
What are the causes?
The main cause of finger fractures is injury, such as from sports, falls, or closing a drawer or door.
What increases the risk?
The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:
- Playing sports.
- Doing recreational activities such as biking, skateboarding, or skating.
What are the signs or symptoms?
The main symptoms of a broken finger are pain, bruising, and swelling shortly after an injury. Other symptoms include:
- Stiffness.
- Bruising under the nail.
- Exposed bones (compound fractureor open fracture), in severe cases.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on a physical exam and your child’s medical history and symptoms. An X-ray will also be done to confirm the diagnosis.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition depends on the severity of the fracture. If the bones are still in place, the finger may be placed in a cast or splint to keep the finger still while it heals (immobilization). If the bones are out of place, your child’s health care provider may move the bones back into place by hand (manually) or by surgery.
Your child may also need to do exercises to regain strength and flexibility (physical therapy) in his or her finger.
Follow these instructions at home:
If your child has a splint:
- Have your child wear the splint as told by his or her health care provider. Remove it only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- Loosen the splint if your child’s fingers tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
Keep the splint clean.
If your child has a cast:
- Do notallow your child to stick anything inside the cast to scratch the skin. Doing that increases the risk of infection.
- Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your child’s health care provider about any concerns.
- You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do notput lotion on the skin underneath the cast.
- Keep the cast clean.
Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling
- If
directed, put ice on the injured area:
- If your child has a removable splint, remove it as told by your child’s health care provider.
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your child’s skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
- Have your child gently move his or her fingers often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
- Have your child raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of his or her heart while he or she is sitting or lying down.
Driving
- If
your child is of driving age:
- Do notlet him or her drive while taking prescription pain medicine.
- Ask the health care provider when it is safe to drive, if he or she has a splint or a cast.
Bathing
- If
your child has a splint or a cast that is not waterproof:
- Do notlet the splint or cast get wet.
- Cover the splint or cast with a watertight covering when your child takes a bath or a shower.
Activity
- Have your child do physical therapy exercises as told by his or her health care provider.
- Have your child return to his or her normal activities as told by his or her health care provider. Ask your child’s health care provider what activities are safe for your child.
General instructions
- Do notlet your child put pressure on any part of the cast or splint until it is fully hardened, if applicable. This may take several hours.
- Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- Do notgive your child aspirin because it has been linked to Reye syndrome.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your child’s pain or swelling gets worse with treatment.
- Your child has trouble moving his or her finger.
Get help right away if:
- Your child’s finger becomes numb or blue.
Summary
- A finger fracture is a break in any of the finger bones.
- Injury is the main cause of finger fractures.
- Treatment for this condition depends on the severity of the fracture.
