What happens if you ignore a broken finger?

When left untreated, broken and dislocated fingers can cause serious problems in the long term, including permanent loss of movement and sensation. Call on the specialists at OAA to help you reach an accurate diagnosis and begin treating your injury as soon as possible.

What happens if you dont treat a broken finger?

When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

What happens if you leave a broken finger unattended?

If a broken finger is left untreated, the bone may heal with a malunion. This is a fancy word to say that your finger will look deformed. Besides making your hand look bad, it may also result in post-traumatic arthritis. So an injury today could cause you years of suffering later on if left untreated.

Does a broken finger need immediate attention?

Immediate Pain

The most tell-tale symptom of a broken finger is immediate pain after the injury. If the pain and swelling prevent movement or use of the fingers, there's crushed tissue or exposed bone, then you should seek medical attention.

Can a broken finger heal itself?

The physicians at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists treat finger injuries on a regular basis, and many will heal on their own. However, it's important to know the difference between pain from a temporary jam and a potential fracture that needs immediate medical attention, or even surgery.

How can you tell if a finger is broken or just jammed?

A person may hear a cracking or popping noise with finger movement if they have a broken finger. A doctor will also ask the person to try to move their finger. A jammed finger will usually have some range of motion, but if a person has a broken finger, they will hardly be able to move it.

How do I know if my finger is broken or just bruised?

A bruised finger can sometimes be just a painful as a fractured or broken finger. However, unlike a broken finger, there is no bone break or fracture. The impact it the injured finger causes bleeding under the skin.
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Symptoms of a bruised finger include:

1. Pain.
2. Stiffness.
3. Swelling.
4. Discoloration.
5. Loss of finger mobility.

What does a hairline fracture finger feel like?

A non-displaced fracture, is more commonly known as a hairline fracture. This consists of a thin crack in the bone that occurs with an injury. Typically, it is not as noticeable as other types of fractures, however, localized pain, tenderness, or soft tissue swelling are a few of the common symptoms.

Can you fracture a finger and still move it?

You may still be able to move your finger even though it's broken. But moving it will usually cause pain. Sometimes the pain will be dull and not too much for you to bear. You should still see a provider even if you can tolerate the pain.

What does a sprained finger feel like?

Sprained Finger Symptoms

Pain in one of your finger joints when you try to move or use it. Stiffness in your finger or having a hard time straightening or bending it. Tenderness in your joint when you touch the area. Swelling in one of your finger joints.

Can a jammed finger be permanent?

An untreated jammed finger can lead to permanent difficulties. The most common complication is stiffness. A treatment team for a jammed finger often includes an occupational hand therapist to help with motion.

How long does a broken finger take to heal?

A broken finger or thumb usually heals within 6 to 8 weeks, but it can take longer. It may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to your hand. Once it's healed, use your finger or thumb as normal. Moving it will stop it getting stiff.

Do I need to go to the doctor for a sprained finger?

After an injury, there will be pain, swelling and often stiffness or difficulty moving the finger. See a doctor immediately if the finger is obviously out of place, crooked or misshapen, cold, pale or numb, or if swelling and/or severe pain developed immediately within the first 30 minutes after the injury.