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Tag: Fractured Knuckle

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Fingers General

Broken Knuckle vs. Fractured Knuckle

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Knuckles are joints essential to the function of our fingers and hands.  They are the point where the phalanx bone of a finger meets with the metacarpal bone of the hand.  Each hand has five knuckle joints and twice as many knuckle bones.  It is rare that knuckles break or fracture, but not impossible.  They become vulnerable when the hand is clenched, and the fist is used to hit a hard surface.  If you are concerned, you may be dealing with a broken or fractured knuckle.

What Can Cause a Broken or Fractured Knuckle?

Impact on a hard surface is the main reason a knuckle may be fractured or broken.  With fractures, it is most common that the knuckle closest to the little finger is injured.  Breaks and fractures rarely happen in multiples.  However, the greater the trauma, the greater the chance of multiple injuries.  Examples of situations that can lead to broken or fractured knuckles are:

  • Fighting
  • Work accidents
  • Auto accidents
  • Sport injuries

What are Symptoms of a Fractured or Broken Knuckle?

If you have broken or fractured your knuckle, there will be a great deal of discomfort.  Your ability to perform daily activities will be affected.  If you have the following symptoms, it is likely you have a fractured or broken a knuckle:

  • Numbness
  • Pain following trauma
  • Trouble forming a fist
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling that affects the use of your hand
  • Bruising

Diagnosing a Broken or Fractured Knuckle

Broken knuckles are easily identified because of the excruciating pain you will immediately feel following the injury.  When we diagnose broken or fractured knuckles, we check for visual signs consistent with trauma.  Pressure touch will result in severe pain if the injury is present.  We may also use an X-ray or CT scan to pinpoint the exact location and severity of a fracture.

How are These Injuries Treated?

The treatment of a fracture or break of the knuckle depends on whether the knuckle has been displaced.  A non-displaced injury can sometimes be treated conservatively.  However, a displaced injury that has separated or fractured a segment of the bone will require surgery.

It is always best to try to avoid injury to the knuckles.  Avoid striking objects with your closed fist or breaking your fall with outstretched arms.  If you feel you may have broken or fractured your knuckle, make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery in Warren, Macomb, West Bloomfield, or Howell. Contact us today to book your consultation.

Categories
Fingers General

Fractured Knuckle? Visit Dr. Arora!

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There are so many reasons why you should see Dr. Arora at Arora Hand Surgery if you have a fractured knuckle. Your knuckles make movement of your fingers possible, and they help you achieve a certain skill level if you use them to play the piano or the guitar. They also give you the ability to work with your hands. When a knuckle breaks or is injured in some way, your fingers don’t move so well, and you may have pain accompanied by swelling. You won’t be able to use the hand that the broken knuckle is on until you get it treated.

Signs of a Broken Knuckle

The majority of people with a fractured knuckle first notice the injury by the immediate and strong pain it brings. This pain could get worse when you attempt to move the knuckle, but there’s also a chance the pain won’t increase when you move it. Your hand will get swollen in a matter of minutes, and you will be able to move your hand less and less as your hand continues to inflate.

It’s possible that your broken knuckle won’t be visible upon making a fist. If your knuckle recedes, you can be sure it is broken. You will see bruises around the broken knuckle. If the break is serious, the bruising will be as well. The bruises, like the pain, will appear as soon as the knuckle breaks due to blood loss in the vicinity of the break. As the swollen hand gets even more swollen, there may be numbness due to compression of the nerves in the fingers. Stiffness also occurs when you break a knuckle. It might get infected, and it may not completely heal.

Treatment Options

When you come to Arora Hand Surgery with a broken knuckle, our doctor will treat the injury according to the characteristics of the fracture. Treatment will also be based on how old you are, what you do for a living, and how much use of your hand you will need, among other factors. After your hand is examined, the treatment can begin.

Make sure to come to Arora Hand Surgery if you think you have a fractured knuckle or if you are dealing with any other type of issue with the hands, wrists, or elbows. Dr. Arora and his team are at the ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in Howell, West Bloomfield, Warren, or Macomb.

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Dr. Aroras office from my first call to schedule my appointment was friendly. Walking in the first day, I felt like I was in a nice atmosphere. Dr. Arora was EXCELLENT in taking great care of my hand injury. He was gentle and very understanding to the concerns I had about my hand. His expertise was admirable and I would recommend anyone with an injury to their hand to his office to be under his care. Because of him, I have healed faster than expected and will make an 100% recovery! Thank you Dr.

Jackie S.

I first thought I was going to have to have painful injections or surgery, but Dr. Arora suggested physical therapy may do the trick. I was doubtful, but I agreed to do it. Now, my pain is gone, and with the help of an ergonomic keyboard at work to keep my hands in the correct position, I am virtually pain free. The therapy strengthened my wrists and shoulders, and built more flexibility into my wrists.

Jerry T.

My experience with this doctor was positive from the outset. Dr. Arora was kind and spent a great deal of time with me. Staff was friendly. The office was nice and bright.

Ariel G.

Very friendly and helpful Great staff!!! Doctor Arora was very professional and did great work. I was very happy with everything!

L B.