What is Traumatic Finger Amputation

Traumatic finger amputation is when a person loses part or all of a finger because of an accident or injury. This condition is a medical emergency. It needs to be treated right away to prevent more damage to the finger and to save the lost part of the finger, if that is possible.

What are the causes?

This condition usually results from an accident that involves:

• A car.
• Power tools.
• Factory work.
• Farm or lawn equipment.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Bleeding.
• Pain.
• Damage to surrounding tissues, such as bones, muscles, tendons, and skin.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with a physical exam. During the exam, your health care provider will determine how severe the injury is and the best way to treat it. X-rays may be done to check for damage to the surrounding bones and tissues.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated by cleaning the wound thoroughly and with medicines for pain. Additional treatment depends on the type of injury that you have and how bad it is:

• If only the tip of your finger was removed, treatment may involve placing a protective bandage (dressing) over the wound and cleaning the wound regularly.
• If the injury is severe, a portion of skin may be taken from another part of the body (graft) and attached to the wound site until the wound heals.
• If a large portion of the finger was cut off, treatment may include a surgical procedure to reattach the finger (replantation).

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if your condition improves.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Wound care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

General instructions

• Do exercises to strengthen your finger and hand as directed by your health care provider.
• Keep your hand raised above the level of your heart when resting.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your wound does not seem to be healing well.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your wound.
• Your wound feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
• You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

• You have redness spreading or extending from your wound.

Summary

• A traumatic finger amputation is when a person loses part or all of a finger because of an accident or injury.
• This condition is diagnosed with a physical exam. During the exam your health care provider will determine how severe the injury is and the best way to treat it.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.