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Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Index Finger Post An Accident
Question: Hi Dr, My colleague met with an accident and she has hurt her right hand index finger, She was treated in a private hospital, the damaged finger is half bend and she is unable to move normally. The doctor in the private hospital asked her to undergo surgery but has given no assurance on the finger getting normal after the operation. I would like to have a second opinion on her case so that she can decide on the further course of treatment. Attached is the Xray.
Brief Answer:
Conservative management with good physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query
I have read your query and reviewed the Xray film.
Does she have any swelling over the finger?
Is she able to do any finger movements?
There appears to be a bony injury near the finger joint which is the reason for the finger deformity.
It would be helpful if you could tell me the nature of the surgery that her Doctor has planned for her.
This injury may not require surgery in my opinion although every Surgeon has different decisions making according to experience. I would go for conservative management with a finger extension splint followed by physiotherapy.
In my opinion, conservative or surgical treatment done should be followed by aggressive physiotherapy to prevent finger stiffness. This is the main point to be noted. Usually such injuries heal within 4 to 6 weeks but need good physiotherapy to bring back the joint range of motion.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Conservative management with good physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query
I have read your query and reviewed the Xray film.
Does she have any swelling over the finger?
Is she able to do any finger movements?
There appears to be a bony injury near the finger joint which is the reason for the finger deformity.
It would be helpful if you could tell me the nature of the surgery that her Doctor has planned for her.
This injury may not require surgery in my opinion although every Surgeon has different decisions making according to experience. I would go for conservative management with a finger extension splint followed by physiotherapy.
In my opinion, conservative or surgical treatment done should be followed by aggressive physiotherapy to prevent finger stiffness. This is the main point to be noted. Usually such injuries heal within 4 to 6 weeks but need good physiotherapy to bring back the joint range of motion.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Hi Dr, Thanks for the opinion. I've attached her finger images, She doesn't remember the suggested surgery name. She is only going through physiotherapy right now, nothing else and the physio has suggested the finger extension splint but she doesn't know how to basically use it. She still has pain and the finger is flex. Please suggest what needs to be done and any specialist you recommend in Bengaluru.
Brief Answer:
Manipal Hospital. Physiotherapy during the day, splint at night
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the reply
Can you tell me when she sustained the injury?
The finger extension splint should be worn throughout the night and physiotherapy and associated exercises done during the day.
You can visit the Physiotherapy department in Manipal Hospital in Old Airport Road, Bengaluru. They have a dedicated team of Physiotherapists who will help in quick recovery.
She needs to apply the finger splint over the finger and put a snugly fitting tape around it to keep it in place around the finger at night.
It is natural for the finger to pain during flexion but that's the only hard part of physiotherapy. This is the only way to prevent finger joint stiffness so that she can echoey near normal finger function henceforth.
Manipal Hospital. Physiotherapy during the day, splint at night
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the reply
Can you tell me when she sustained the injury?
The finger extension splint should be worn throughout the night and physiotherapy and associated exercises done during the day.
You can visit the Physiotherapy department in Manipal Hospital in Old Airport Road, Bengaluru. They have a dedicated team of Physiotherapists who will help in quick recovery.
She needs to apply the finger splint over the finger and put a snugly fitting tape around it to keep it in place around the finger at night.
It is natural for the finger to pain during flexion but that's the only hard part of physiotherapy. This is the only way to prevent finger joint stiffness so that she can echoey near normal finger function henceforth.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Dr, Should the finger splint be installed by the medical expert or she can do herself? If you've looked into her recent pictures; her finger is stiff at a certain position and is unable to bend or straight due to pain and swelling. She is planning to visit Hosmat hospital this week.
She met with an accident 2 months ago and is undergoing physiotherapy at Al ameen hospital daily.
She met with an accident 2 months ago and is undergoing physiotherapy at Al ameen hospital daily.
Brief Answer:
Motivation required for recovery. Medication can be taken.
Detailed Answer:
She can apply it herself but if she isn't able to then she can ask her Physiotherapist or Doctor at HOSMAT.
The pain and swelling will be there because the joint has become tight. So physiotherapy helps to loosen out the joint so that she can straighten it nicely soon.
The more motivated she is at performing physiotherapy without bothering much about the pain, she will be able to gain near normal to normal function soon.
She can take Tablet Chymoral forte DS before meal, which is an over the counter medication, twice a day for 5 days to relieve the pain and swelling.
Motivation required for recovery. Medication can be taken.
Detailed Answer:
She can apply it herself but if she isn't able to then she can ask her Physiotherapist or Doctor at HOSMAT.
The pain and swelling will be there because the joint has become tight. So physiotherapy helps to loosen out the joint so that she can straighten it nicely soon.
The more motivated she is at performing physiotherapy without bothering much about the pain, she will be able to gain near normal to normal function soon.
She can take Tablet Chymoral forte DS before meal, which is an over the counter medication, twice a day for 5 days to relieve the pain and swelling.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hello Dr Aashish, I conveyed your opinion to my friend and she has planned to visit the specialist next Monday. However, her present physio installed the extension splint on her finger and she was wearing till now from the morning, her finger seems to have swollen and she is experiencing severe pain, is it normal for the finger to appear like this or there is something wrong? I have attached the image of her finger, please look into it and share your opinion asap. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Avoid excessive attempt to correct the deformity
Detailed Answer:
Avoid excessive and aggressive physiotherapy. Even the finger extension splint can be avoided if it is painful to apply and maintain.
These can lead to excessive correction attempt of the deformity and can cause pain and swelling.
She can give it some rest and avoid and excessive movements or lifting any weight. A painkiller (eg. Paracetamol) can help.
Regards
Avoid excessive attempt to correct the deformity
Detailed Answer:
Avoid excessive and aggressive physiotherapy. Even the finger extension splint can be avoided if it is painful to apply and maintain.
These can lead to excessive correction attempt of the deformity and can cause pain and swelling.
She can give it some rest and avoid and excessive movements or lifting any weight. A painkiller (eg. Paracetamol) can help.
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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