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Doctors Lounge - Orthopedics Answers
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Back to Orthopedics Answers List
| shel
- Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:25 pm |
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A week and half ago I was catching a ball and it hit the tip of my ring and little finger on the left hand. It hurt quite badly, swelling, bruising, pins n needles. I went to the ER, xrays taken. They suspected, but not 100 percent sure, a fracture on the top and inside of my ring finger, the joint above the knuckle. They said something about lucency? on the xray. They placed a metal type splint on the finger and said follow up with the family doctor.
I saw him today, he didn't examine the finger and I didn't have a chance to tell him where it hurt the most. He took xrays and said there is crack around the top and sort of too the side. Suggested I buddy tape the fingers, not use the splint, and use one of those tiny exercise balls you squeeze to exercise my finger.
While at home I was looking at my finger. It's not visible to the eye (unless because of swelling hiding it?) but if I trace my finger along the inner part of the joint above the knuckle, ring finger, along the side that is facing my middle finger, I can feel a hard bump or more roundness. Maybe bone I was feeling? I felt my good finger on my right hand in the exact same area and it is nowhere near as large, round feeling compared to my injured finger. Could this be a bone jutting out or something to do with the fracture? It is quite painful in that area.
I have iced my finger to keep the swelling down.
Should I be seeing an orthopedic for a finger fracture? I live in Canada so to see an orthopedic I need a referral from another doctor. Thanks for your help.
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| Tom Plamondon PA-C
- Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:55 pm |
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 Hello,
There are two main concerns with a distal finger fracture. If the fracture is close to the knuckle then the tendons which attach there can be involved in the injury. This would be a case to see an orthopedist.
The other concern is too long immobilization. Typically, less than 3 weeks in buddy taping or splint provide the best hand function results.
Take care.
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| shel
- Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:09 pm |
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Update and more questions. Thanks for the last reply.
The day after I saw my family doctor he phoned me and decided it wasn't fractured.
However I still have this large bump, bulge on the side of the finger. If I gently touch it and move the top part of my finger up and down I can hear and feel a clicking type noise in that bulged area. Could this be tendon or bone clicking? Finger continues to be quite painful.
If I try to make a fist, my ring finger will not curl or bend down. It is quite painful. I could possibly force it with the other hand but wouldn't risk doing that.Also the pinky finger which is not injured will not bend down. My middle finger will bend but the joint closest to the nail will not curl under. The index and thumb are fine. I was wondering if you have an injured finger can it affect the fingers next to it?
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| Tom Plamondon PA-C
- Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:18 pm |
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Hello,
Since there is no fracture, you can start gentle passive range of motion with the three involved fingers. Warming the tissue with a heating pad before stretching will help. It will take 3 weeks to gain full motion.
Take care.
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| shel
- Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:42 pm |
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It's been about 6-7 weeks since this injury and I'm still having problems. That bulge/lump has not gone away. I can still feel clicking in that area when I wiggle the finger. I still have pain that worsens with movement. I cannot make a fist. My good fingers bend but the injured ring finger stays straight. I don't mean straight up, sticks straight out when making a fist and the joint closest to the nail does not curl. I have tried soaking it in warm water and gentle movements and no improvement with the above. I did see my family doctor yesterday and he 'doesn't know." I've also discovered a tiny raised lump on top and slightly to the side of joint below the finger nail. Both bumps are not visible to the eye.
For the past three days I have started to experience pain and achiness radiating into my hand and forearm directly below the ring and pink finger. This is something new.
Could this be a tendon problem?
Should I be seeing a specialist? Or?
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| Tom Plamondon PA-C
- Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:37 pm |
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Hello,
Since this finger is not progressing or healing, you may need to see a hand specialist. Certainly, the tendon or joint capsule can be damaged.
In any event, the range of motion, strength, appearance (including bony appearance via x-ray) will need to be re-evaluated and then develop a treatment plan. If the finger does not require surgical repair you may benefit from occupational therapy and splinting (to regain flexion).
Take care and keep us posted.
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