While doing a mundane task the end of my middle finger clicked violently. The end is now swollen and tender but I can move all of the knuckles. Could I have broken a bone up there? What should I do - I really don't want to go to hospital for an xray if it's untreatable.
2006-08-22 10:19:18 · 23 answers · asked by jusdinoliver 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Sprains, fractures, dislocations, etc. in a bone or joint are almost impossible to diagnose without an X-ray.
I'd GUESS that you at least temporarily dislocated the last bone in your finger. IF this guess is right (or if it was a minor strain), and it popped back in place, you'll have some pain and swelling for a few days and be OK.
If you broke something and do not get it treated, or if the dislocation did not reset, you have some pain and swelling for a few days... and then it will either get better or worse depending on a million little things.
You COULD do the RICE treatment and see what happens for you.
R- Rest the injured finger, and yourself in general.
I- Ice the finger for about 20 minutes. Let it rest, then re-ice it for the next few hours. After a few hours, use cold or warm packs- whichever seems to feel better.
C- Compression. Try to wrap the finger against its neighbor for a while. This keeps the fluids from filling it and swelling it, and helps keep it rested.
E- Elevation. keep the injury above your heart as much as possible.
(Note- an alternative version of RICE is Rest, Immobilize the injured area, Cool the injured area, and Elevate it.)
Along with RICE, use some over-the-counter asprain or asprain substitute as well. (Tylenol is a great product but not as helpful with muscle pains)
If RICE does not help in a couple days, I'd go anyway!
2006-08-23 05:53:13 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probabilities is that it is not a broken bone. In general the pain is unbareble with a broken bone. Ice will keep the swelling down and try not to move it for a while you can tape two fingers together to give some support. If after 48 hours the swelling and pain is still there then go see a Dr.
2006-08-23 06:13:30 · answer #2 · answered by TT 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No medical doctor can make a confident diagnosis from only what you have said. I would advise you to see a doctor for a proper examination. Given the amount of force involved it's unlikely to be broken, but if I can diagnose disease by email and without seeing the patient then I must be god (and I'm not). A GOOD doctor never speculate/guess. You may not need an xray as it's useless in soft tissue injury, again a doctor will need to examine your finger first.
Adrian (A&E doctor)
2006-08-22 14:06:13 · answer #3 · answered by Adrian 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi well it all depends how bad you you injured your finger while doing this task.Ist off all its quite hard to fracture the end off your finger unless it got crushed or something fell on it.You may have a problem called Hammer finger thats where the ligaments snap.You need to keep the finger moving to stop the swelling from getting worse,when your hand isnt in use hold your arm above to your chest.Take painkillers if its painful.You need to see your Gp or pop up to the A/E dept and get seen there,they will send you round for an X-Ray,if you have got a hairline fracture or ligament tear they will refer you to the ortho clinic,dont leave it thou as you need to get it checked out incase its injuried badly and you will get the right treatment for this.Good Luck
2006-08-23 02:53:34 · answer #4 · answered by Sexy Red 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first wager, and a wager is all it really is, will be a nosocomial an infection. between the most excellent risks of any surgical operation is an infection. in accordance to the position the an infection is and what led to it, the antibiotic treatment could take in to a week to be useful. the heart cost for a three year previous isn't that prime, and could be envisioned with a fever, and also you do not element out what the temp is, yet toddlers frequently spike temps as severe as one 0 5 with out any worry in any respect. supply the antibiotics the time required to outcome remedy of the an infection...ask the docs the position the an infection originates and in the journey that they have got cultured it to apply the most suitable antibiotic.
2016-12-01 00:29:53 · answer #5 · answered by ivan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oohh ouch... at least you know you hurt your finger before it swelled up. 3 of my fingers have swelled up without explaination. If I were you though I would go to the hospital and get an x-ray. if you dont get the break seen to it can lead to problems when your older.
Good luck babes and put ice on it to take down the swelling. Ive got cold wet bandages on my swollen ones lol...
2006-08-22 10:38:29 · answer #6 · answered by beckywecky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only a first aider but if your finger is swollen and you heard a click you shoud go to the hospital you may not have broken any thing and may not even need an x ray if i was there id have you there in a jiffy
2006-08-22 10:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by warmup001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you dislocated a joint. I would seek medical attention; if it is a dislocation, an orthopedist can set it right. You may need to have the finger in a cast for a week or so to let the torn tissues heal.
2006-08-22 10:44:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is some good advice here........I am a nursing student and would say that ice and support are good places to start. You don't necessarily need a visit to an emergency room. I'd call your regular doctor and make an appointment.......they should be able to x-ray your finger there which would be faster and cheaper.
2006-08-22 11:26:57 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have a "hammer" finger, meaning a tendon has snapped. You would need an Xray to confirm, and if it is confirmed will need your finger in a splint for quite a few weeks.
2006-08-22 10:23:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋