Hand Fractures: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment By Wrist & Thumb Braces

What Are Hand Fractures?

Hand fractures imply breakage of wrist bones (carpals), bones of the palm (metacarpals), thumb, and fingers (phalanges). The hand has multiple small joints, so it is more prone to fractures. The fracture of the fifth metacarpal is the most common hand fracture. Often called a “boxer’s fracture,” it affects the “neck” of the bone near the knuckles. Boxer’s fracture occurs when you punch using a fist or hit a hard object.

Car accidents can break the bones of the hand, sometimes in several places, requiring surgical repair. In addition, you may risk violating a bone if you play sports such as hockey or football or if your bones become thinner and more brittle in conditions like osteoporosis.

A hand fracture may be classified into the following:

Stable: when the bone pieces are aligned and stable
Unstable: when bone fragments have displaced or shifted
Comminuted fractures are those when a bone is shattered into many pieces
Open or compound fracture: when the wound is open, the risk of infection is high.

What Causes Hand Fractures?

Activities that put a lot of pressure on the bones can cause hand fractures such as collisions, blows, or severe twists. Exercise or sports is another common cause of fractures that results from falls and sprains.

Many injuries occur when you stretch your hand out to stop a fall. This can break your fingers, hands, and wrists. This type of fracture is called a scaphoid fracture.

Osteoporosis is another risk factor that weakens the bones, making them susceptible to breakage.

hand-fractures-symptoms

What Is the Best Treatment for Hand Fractures, and How Long Does a Fractured Hand Take to Heal?

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture. Minor injuries take a couple of weeks to recover. However, six weeks or more may be needed to recover in severe cases.

Regardless of treatment, moving your fingers regularly while the fracture heals is essential to prevent them from hardening. If you smoke, quit smoking as it can delay or prevent bone healing.

Immobilization

Limiting movement in a fractured hand is typically the first step toward proper healing. You may need a splint or cast for initial treatment. It is recommended to keep the writing lifted to reduce swelling and pain.

Medications

The doctor may recommend an OTC medication other than NSAIDs to reduce pain. However, if your pain is severe, you may need an opioid like codeine.

If you have an open fracture where you have a wound, or if the skin near the wound breaks, you may be given antibiotics to prevent infection from reaching your bone.

Therapy

Once the cast or splint is removed, your doctor may advise rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy to reduce stiffness and restore hand movement. Rehabilitation may take several months or longer to recover fully.

Surgery

If the ends of the broken bones are not aligned, there may be gaps between the bone fragments, or the pieces may overlap. Therefore, your doctor must put these pieces back into place in a reduction process.

What Is the Best WRIST & THUMB Brace for Hand Fractures?

The brace is designed to stabilize the fracture or surgical site, allow you to participate in various activities, and lift a weight. WorldBrace is one of the best manufacturers of hand braces providing instant relief from the pain that restricts motion. In addition, it supports the injured area of the hand and reduces inflammation.

WorldBrace’s wrist & thumb brace is made of thermoplastic orthopedic material, pre-engineered, and anatomically designed to ensure an optimal fit.

You can find more wrist and thumb braces accustomed to your requirement at WorldBrace.

Hand Fracture Surgery

faq

How do I know if my hand is fractured?

Hand fractures often affect the movement of the hand, and even a slight movement causes pain. You may be able to hear a grinding sound. Diagnosis of hand fracture usually includes A doctor’s assessment, X-rays, and computed tomography or MRI in extreme cases.