Dealing with a broken hand is one of the unfortunate potential side effects of being involved in a car accident. Typically characterized by pain and stiffness, difficulty moving the hand, wrist or fingers and possibly even deformities, such as a crooked finger, an x-ray is the only way to definitively determine whether or not your hand has been broken.
Treating a Broken Hand
Treatment options for a broken hand are dependent upon the type of fracture you have suffered and where it is located. For example, if the fracture is unstable, your doctor may need to use pins or wires to set the bones and hold them in place so they can heal properly. In less serious cases, this procedure can be completed without surgery. With more severe breaks, a surgery may be necessary in order to hold the bones together with pins, plates or screws. If the fracture is stable, on the other hand, it may only require a splint or cast to hold the bone in place while your body heals.
In the most severe cases where the bone is crushed or pieces of bone or missing, a bone graft may be necessary. With a bone graft, bone is taken from other parts of your body to replace the bone where the injury occurred.
Recovering from a Broken Hand
In some cases, a bony lump may appear in the spot where your bone was broken. Known as a fracture callus, this bony lump is normal and typically becomes smaller over time. You may also experience stiffness, shifting of the bone or even an infection during the recovery time. At Advanced Spine & Rehab, we will work closely with you in order to ensure your recovery is as fast and problem-free as possible following your car accident. Contact us to learn more!