Our sense of touch is just as important as our other four senses (eyesight, hearing, taste and smell). Without the use of our fingers and hands, it’s rather difficult, if not impossible, to perform most everyday tasks. Our digits and hands are vulnerable to fractures and breaks because we use them so frequently and for such a large variety of tasks.
At the offices of Nutley Orthopaedic Group, we offer the latest diagnostic tools and knowledge to treat hand fractures. Our goal is to restore hands to their full function and mobility.
Our hands are typically the first point of contact with the tactile world, so they’re subject to all kinds of fracture risks. Breaking a hand and/or fingers can be the result of something as basic as taking an accidental tumble to a highly physical activity like performing manual labor.
Be suspicious of a fracture if your hand is painful, tender, bruised or swollen, or if you can’t move your hand or one or more fingers. An X-ray can pinpoint the location and extent of the injury and, after a thorough diagnosis, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend non-surgical and surgical treatment options.
Nonsurgical Treatment:If a fracture isn’t lined up in an acceptable position, the bone fragments can be realigned by gently manipulating them back into position without making an incision. A cast, splint or brace may be applied to keep the bones in their correct positions while they heal. Depending on the location and extent of the damage, a cast may go from your fingertips to almost your elbow.
Surgical Treatment:Some hand fractures require surgery to realign and stabilize the fracture fragments. This includes open fractures in which pieces of bone have broken through the skin. An incision is made to help reposition the bone fragments into their normal alignment. Small metal devices—wires, screws, pins, staples and plates—might be used to hold the pieces of fractured bones in place.
The office of Nutley Orthopaedic Group is committed to the health, strength and function of our patients’ bones.We provide the highest quality of skilled and compassionate orthopedic care. For more information about our office and many services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
