“It’s just a pinkie finger,” is a common response to an injury of the littlest hand digit. But, if that pinkie finger is broken and heals improperly, it can be misshapen forever. In fact, hand or finger injuries, often regarded as inconsequential nuisances by patients, may be more serious.
Sprains and fractures are frequent injuries to the hand and wrist. A sprain is a tear in a joint capsule, ligament or tendon, while a fracture is a break in the bone. Although the initial symptoms of sprains and fractures may appear similar, knowing which injury you’re dealing with is critical.
Symptoms to Note
Basketball, baseball, softball, cycling, in-line skating and trampoline injuries account for many sports-related sprains and fractures among youth and, frequently, older weekend warriors. Falls are often responsible for wrist fractures, particularly among elderly patients.
Pain, swelling and bruising are shared symptoms between fractures and sprains, and should be greatly alleviated after 24 hours of rest, ice and elevation. Pain that lasts more than a day or two should be investigated.
Care and Treatment
Like any medical condition, sprains and fractures can differ in severity so treatment and healing time are varied as well. A sprain does heal more quickly than a fracture. If an X-ray determines there is a fracture, generally you need to have a cast and an orthopaedic surgeon will determine the length time in a cast, depending upon the location of the bone. If bones are actually separated, surgery is necessary.
Avoid Guesswork
If there’s a doubt, go get an X-ray. Early treatment is critical because after three to four weeks, a fracture mistaken for a sprain may heal in a poor position and may be too late to reconstruct. Joint replacements for fingers are still experimental, so if that pinkie bone heals improperly, it’s that way for life.
