Finger fractures can be painful. But, even if they are not, they should never be ignored or viewed as superficial injuries. When neglected, a broken finger can lead to chronic pain and stiffness that impacts a person’s ability to perform daily tasks. If you’ve injured a finger, you can turn with confidence to Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group, where we see patients from Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and elsewhere in Florida. Our orthopaedic experts have a broad range of capabilities in treating finger fractures and other musculoskeletal conditions, and we can quickly and thoroughly evaluate your symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment regimen. Our Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, Daniel Murphy, M.D., is proud to serve as team physician for the New York Yankees, and our Board-certified sports medicine doctor, Arnold Ramirez, M.D., is pleased to serve as team physician for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Finger fractures can result from a wide variety of activities. Perhaps you slammed a finger in a door, used your hand to break a fall, or jammed a finger trying to catch a ball. When you consult with a physician at our clinic in Tampa, FL, about finger fractures, you’ll want to explain exactly what happened, providing as much detail as possible. Your physician will then examine your hand, and possibly order X-rays, to determine the nature and extent of your injury.
Sometimes, finger fractures can be treated without surgery. If this is the case in your situation, the physician might:
- Carefully position the broken bone
- Apply a cast or splint to hold the broken finger in place and protect it as it heals
- Splint the adjacent fingers to provide further support
- Advise you on how long to wear the cast or splint (typically about three weeks)
- Monitor the progress of your injury as it heals
Severe finger fractures, including “skier’s thumb” injuries, might require surgery by a hand specialist to precisely realign the bones. Skier’s thumb can occur when a skier falls on an outstretched hand holding a ski pole, which can create the force necessary to stress the thumb and tear the ligament.
To learn more about the evaluation and treatment of finger fractures, please contact Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group today. Our personalized approach to practicing medicine has earned us the trust of patients throughout Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding FL communities.
