Hand Fractures
A hand fracture is a break in one of the bones of the hand. If you think you’ve broken or fractured your finger, learn more about finger fractures here. Our hands afford us the ability to accomplish the most intricate of tasks. A broken hand can be painful and interrupt your daily work or personal life.
Anatomy of the hand
Your hand consists of 27 bones: eight bones in your wrist (carpals), five bones in the palm of your hand (metacarpals), and 14 bones in your fingers (phalanges).
Did you know?
The most common hand fracture is a fracture of the fifth metacarpal—the bone in the hand that supports the little finger. This is commonly called a “boxer’s fracture” and involves the “neck” of the bone, next to the knuckle joint. A boxer’s fracture is caused most often by punching or striking a hard object when your hand is closed in a fist.
Causes of a broken hand
A broken hand can be the result of numerous injuries. The most common injuries that result in a broken hand are, a fall, crush injury, twisting injury, or through direct contact in sports.
Symptoms of a fractured finger
You will most likely experience immediate pain from a break in the hand. After the injury is sustained, you will experience some or all the following:
- Swelling of the fracture site
- Tenderness at the fracture site
- Bruising at the fracture site
- Inability to move the hand
- Deformity or indentation of the broken bone
Contact our hand specialists (no referral needed).
If you think you have broken your hand be sure to stabilize and limit the movement of your hand and fingers. Contact Orthopedic Associates of Northern California for a same or next day appointment. Orthopedic Associates of Northern California does not require a referral from a primary care physician to schedule an appointment. You can contact us directly by phone or through our website contact form. During your consultations, your doctor will conduct physical examination followed by x-rays. In most cases, a hand fracture will heal well with nonsurgical treatment. Of course, treatment depends on the location and severity of the injury.
A team of hand specialists
Orthopedic Associates of Northern California boasts a team of fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeons. We have a team of providers that specialize in all areas of the human body. Since 1995 our team has been helping patients who have sustained hand injuries. You can be confident you’re in great hands.
