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Suggest Treatment For Broken Little Finger
Question: Hello,
Almost 2 months ago I broke my right little finger while playing cricket, trying to catch a high ball.
Image 1 - 2 shows the x-ray after 2 days.
Doctor recommended I get the pin insertion to align the bones properly and told it will take 3-4 months to return to compete normal shape, otherwise it may be crooked for ever. I got the surgery done after 6 days.
Image 2-3 are the X-rays right after surgery.
After a 5 weeks I went to the doctor for followup and pin removal, doctor was very happy regarding the healing, removed the pin and told me to start bending the finger with caution. I try to do it frequently. Also sports was not recommended.
Image 5-6 are the X-rays on the day of pin removal.
I have a followup tomorrow, and the current state is shown from image 7-14.
Image 7 - 10: Today's shape, trying to straighten the finger on its own (with force it straighten slightly more)
Image 11 - 14: Today's shape, trying to bend the finger on its own (with force it bend slightly more)
Observation: It's been more than 9 weeks I got the surgery done, but finger still remains bent. Neither it straighten it nor it bends completely by itself. I still feel slight swelling in the finger -- I feel that's one reason it doesn't completely bend. It slightly pains when I try to bend the knuckle hard.
My questions are:
1. Will it ever get perfectly normal? If so, how long?
2. What exercises/treatment I should do to accelerate the healing?
3. When can I resume sports?
4. Is the bone fracture healing satisfactorily? Normally, how long this kinds of fractures take to heal completely?
5. Why there is swelling still?
6. If the bone heals completely, I believe it's the stiff knuckle tendons which is causing the finger to bend. In that case how can I relax the tendons more effectively?
7. Should I put warm cloth on the knuckle to relax the muscle or ice-pack to heal the inflammation, or combination of both?
8. What are the questions I should be asking the doctor during tomorrow's followup?
Thanks
Almost 2 months ago I broke my right little finger while playing cricket, trying to catch a high ball.
Image 1 - 2 shows the x-ray after 2 days.
Doctor recommended I get the pin insertion to align the bones properly and told it will take 3-4 months to return to compete normal shape, otherwise it may be crooked for ever. I got the surgery done after 6 days.
Image 2-3 are the X-rays right after surgery.
After a 5 weeks I went to the doctor for followup and pin removal, doctor was very happy regarding the healing, removed the pin and told me to start bending the finger with caution. I try to do it frequently. Also sports was not recommended.
Image 5-6 are the X-rays on the day of pin removal.
I have a followup tomorrow, and the current state is shown from image 7-14.
Image 7 - 10: Today's shape, trying to straighten the finger on its own (with force it straighten slightly more)
Image 11 - 14: Today's shape, trying to bend the finger on its own (with force it bend slightly more)
Observation: It's been more than 9 weeks I got the surgery done, but finger still remains bent. Neither it straighten it nor it bends completely by itself. I still feel slight swelling in the finger -- I feel that's one reason it doesn't completely bend. It slightly pains when I try to bend the knuckle hard.
My questions are:
1. Will it ever get perfectly normal? If so, how long?
2. What exercises/treatment I should do to accelerate the healing?
3. When can I resume sports?
4. Is the bone fracture healing satisfactorily? Normally, how long this kinds of fractures take to heal completely?
5. Why there is swelling still?
6. If the bone heals completely, I believe it's the stiff knuckle tendons which is causing the finger to bend. In that case how can I relax the tendons more effectively?
7. Should I put warm cloth on the knuckle to relax the muscle or ice-pack to heal the inflammation, or combination of both?
8. What are the questions I should be asking the doctor during tomorrow's followup?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have studied your case.
I am not able to see the images you uploaded. It may be a tech problem with the site.
If you could, please re-upload them using the link on the right hand side of the page.
You could also email them to YYYY@YYYY and ask the CRM team to upload them to QueryID: 155917 (that's this queries ID)..
Waiting for your reply.
Explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have studied your case.
I am not able to see the images you uploaded. It may be a tech problem with the site.
If you could, please re-upload them using the link on the right hand side of the page.
You could also email them to YYYY@YYYY and ask the CRM team to upload them to QueryID: 155917 (that's this queries ID)..
Waiting for your reply.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hi Doc, I was trying to upload all the images, not sure if they got uploaded here, but I also emailed those to YYYY@YYYY . Can you please request them all the images if it is not here. Please note a typo: image 3 - 4 (not 2 - 3) was on the day of operation.
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
You can get back to normal may be in 3 to 4 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have seen 1 to 10 images.
1 Yes you can get back to normal may be in 3 to 4 weeks.
2 You can take calcium supplement with vit D and you may need physiotherapy along with active and passive exercises.
3 you can resume sports if you get functional range of motion of your finger.
4 Yes bone is healing satisfactorily usually it takes 5 to 6 weeks to heal.
5 Swelling can be due to tendon and soft tissue injury.
6 you relax your tendon by wax bath and active and passive exercises of flexion and extension.
7 warm fomentations will be more beneficial.
8 Ask your doctors that are your tendons normal? is there arthritis in Distal interphalangeal joint.
For early healing you can take Tab celin [vit C]
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health
Take care.
You can get back to normal may be in 3 to 4 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have seen 1 to 10 images.
1 Yes you can get back to normal may be in 3 to 4 weeks.
2 You can take calcium supplement with vit D and you may need physiotherapy along with active and passive exercises.
3 you can resume sports if you get functional range of motion of your finger.
4 Yes bone is healing satisfactorily usually it takes 5 to 6 weeks to heal.
5 Swelling can be due to tendon and soft tissue injury.
6 you relax your tendon by wax bath and active and passive exercises of flexion and extension.
7 warm fomentations will be more beneficial.
8 Ask your doctors that are your tendons normal? is there arthritis in Distal interphalangeal joint.
For early healing you can take Tab celin [vit C]
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Hi Doc,
Thanks first. I have few followup questions. Before that just to let you know, I saw the doctor yesterday (could not ask about arthritis in Distal interphalangeal joint, since did not see your post before that). Xray showed pretty good result, he told me I can resume sport. I discussed the swelling, he told that's from the soft tissue and tendon scar. Told me about using warm wax to relax the muscle, massage the finger to mobilize coagulated fluid, and stretching/bending exercise; did not mention any medicine. Here are my questions:
1. Seems to me, bone is healing pretty good, but the injured soft tissue and tendons are not -- causing stiffness swelling. How to heal specifically that?
2. Can you recommend few websites/name for the active/passive exercises you mentioned.
3. I went to pharmacy today, could not find any wax treatment for finger injury... Is there any specific product (used in the US, I live in California) for it or is it paraffin wax treatment for manicure?
4. When try hard to bend the finger, I still feel mild pain. I believe this is because of the swelling and stiffness. If it's abnormal please let me know.
5. Vitamin C and Ca tablet you mentioned, What should be the dosage and frequency. Is vitamin C for the soft tissue healing? Please note, I live in the US and also does not have prescription, so does over-the-counter normal vitamin C tablet will work (I don't find Celin here)?
6. Are there any side effects of these medicines I should be aware of?
7. Regarding, the bending finger images (image 11-14) I could not load more than 10, so I will upload after removing some, please let me know if you see any issue there.
Thanks again.
Thanks first. I have few followup questions. Before that just to let you know, I saw the doctor yesterday (could not ask about arthritis in Distal interphalangeal joint, since did not see your post before that). Xray showed pretty good result, he told me I can resume sport. I discussed the swelling, he told that's from the soft tissue and tendon scar. Told me about using warm wax to relax the muscle, massage the finger to mobilize coagulated fluid, and stretching/bending exercise; did not mention any medicine. Here are my questions:
1. Seems to me, bone is healing pretty good, but the injured soft tissue and tendons are not -- causing stiffness swelling. How to heal specifically that?
2. Can you recommend few websites/name for the active/passive exercises you mentioned.
3. I went to pharmacy today, could not find any wax treatment for finger injury... Is there any specific product (used in the US, I live in California) for it or is it paraffin wax treatment for manicure?
4. When try hard to bend the finger, I still feel mild pain. I believe this is because of the swelling and stiffness. If it's abnormal please let me know.
5. Vitamin C and Ca tablet you mentioned, What should be the dosage and frequency. Is vitamin C for the soft tissue healing? Please note, I live in the US and also does not have prescription, so does over-the-counter normal vitamin C tablet will work (I don't find Celin here)?
6. Are there any side effects of these medicines I should be aware of?
7. Regarding, the bending finger images (image 11-14) I could not load more than 10, so I will upload after removing some, please let me know if you see any issue there.
Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
enhance healing of tendon by exercises and wax bath
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
1 You can enhance healing of tendon by exercises and wax bath.
2 You can learn exercises from trained physiotherapist to avoid complication.
3 You can get paraffin wax bath for your finger from physiotherapy centre near your area.
4 Yes you will feel pain due to capsule stretch its normal after injury.But if you do not gain range of motion in future then its abnormal.
5 you can take tab vit C once daily ,there are no side effects of this.Vit C is for tissue healing.You can get vit C over the counter in US also.You can take calcium 500mg once daily.
6 with calcium you can have abdominal fullness.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
enhance healing of tendon by exercises and wax bath
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
1 You can enhance healing of tendon by exercises and wax bath.
2 You can learn exercises from trained physiotherapist to avoid complication.
3 You can get paraffin wax bath for your finger from physiotherapy centre near your area.
4 Yes you will feel pain due to capsule stretch its normal after injury.But if you do not gain range of motion in future then its abnormal.
5 you can take tab vit C once daily ,there are no side effects of this.Vit C is for tissue healing.You can get vit C over the counter in US also.You can take calcium 500mg once daily.
6 with calcium you can have abdominal fullness.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hello Doctor,
Thanks first. I have not found the wax kit in store, will order online. In the mean time can soak my finger in the hot water? If so, for how long and how frequently?
On the same line, how frequently I should use the wax treatment when I get the kit?
Thanks
Thanks first. I have not found the wax kit in store, will order online. In the mean time can soak my finger in the hot water? If so, for how long and how frequently?
On the same line, how frequently I should use the wax treatment when I get the kit?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
ten minutes, 3 to 4 times a day
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes, you can soak your finger in warm water. For 10 min with exercise inside water, you can do 3 to 4 times a day.
Wax therapy should be done under guidance of physiotherapist. Know about complication of therapy before doing it at home.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
ten minutes, 3 to 4 times a day
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes, you can soak your finger in warm water. For 10 min with exercise inside water, you can do 3 to 4 times a day.
Wax therapy should be done under guidance of physiotherapist. Know about complication of therapy before doing it at home.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hi Doc, when you say complication of wax therapy, do you mean the heat burn or it has some other side-effects/complications?
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
yes, it is heat burn
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes, it is heat burn.
Take care.
yes, it is heat burn
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes, it is heat burn.
Take care.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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