You may have wondered about the importance of your nails at some point in your life, but their importance will become abundantly clear when you severely injure the tip of your finger. The primary purpose of the fingernails is to cover up the sensitive nerves and cells on the nail bed. Since this area is so sensitive, an injury to the nail bed is going to be very painful. Early treatment is crucial to reduce any complications caused by your nail bed injury.
A nail bed injury is caused by trauma to the tip of your finger, and almost all of the injuries are caused by an accident. Slamming your finger in a door, cutting the fingertip with a knife and getting your hand crushed between two objects are the most common accidents that cause nail bed injuries. Since we use our hands for almost every activity, it can be very hard to reduce your risk of a nail bed injury. Using extra caution will go a long way to protect your fingers.
It is impossible to injure your fingertip without knowing. The most obvious signs of a nail bed injury are severe pain, dark bruising on the nail, loss of function and sensation in the fingertip and swelling. If you are having any of these symptoms after a traumatic accident to your hand or fingers, then you should get it checked out immediately. An x-ray will be taken of your finger to see if any nerves or bones were damaged.
A minor nail bed injury can sometimes heal on its own, but you can quickly relieve your pain by getting it treated by our doctor. A dark bruise on the nail is a sign that you have a hematoma, or blood accumulating on your nail bed. All of the pain and pressure in your finger can be relieved in a few seconds using a procedure called trephination, which involves creating a small hole in your nail. The pool of blood in your nail bed will then start to drain out of the hole. The entire process should only take a few seconds, and you will be able to immediately return to your normal activities at home. The hole in your fingernail will close on its own after a short period of time.
A severe nail bed injury can only be treated with surgery. This is usually only done if the nail bed has been severed. The fingernail will have to be completely removed before restoring the nail bed. The severed areas of the nail bed will be restored using grafts from your other fingers. Splinting your finger may also be required if any bones were fractured. Once the nail bed restoration is completed, it will take approximately three to six months before the fingernail completely regrows.
If you have recently experienced a nail bed injury, seek help from our doctor at Arora Hand Surgery. Dr. Arora is considered by his peers and patients as a “top doctor” in his field, and he has the expertise needed to give patients in West Bloomfield, Warren, Macomb, Howell, and the surrounding areas the professional care they need. To receive proper treatment for your nail bed injury, schedule your consultation with us today.
