Broken Finger Healing Time

Broken finger is a troubling condition, resulting due to a crack or fracture in the finger bone. Since fingers are frequently moved or involved in doing even the smallest task, they are very susceptible to fractures. The finger joint pain is more intense, as the finger is slightly bend in normal position. In addition to the painful symptoms, the worst part is that it disturbs regular day-to-day activities. Nevertheless, broken finger healing time can be shortened with proper self-care tips from the patient's side.

Healing Time for Broken Finger

Symptoms of broken finger include pain, bruising, numbness, swollen finger joints and disorientation of the finger. As with any type of bone related injuries, broken finger recovery time differs with respect to the type of bone affected, extent of damage and age of the patient. For example, it takes about a month's time to heal a broken finger in children, while that of adults is about 6-8 weeks. The exact length of time required for treating fractured fingers also depends on how the patient handles the condition.

Needless to say, keeping the affected portion undisturbed is the thumb rule to promote proper healing of the joints. Failure to do so will exacerbate swelling and inflammation symptoms. People tend to use fractured fingers for doing simple tasks, which in turn worsen the swollen finger and disturb the healing process. In fact, the involvement of fingers in performing regular works can be felt, only when one of them is rendered nonfunctional by a crack or trauma. Thus, allowing the broken finger to rest without disturbing is easier said than done.

Tips to Shorten the Broken Finger Recovery Period

Act immediately after the fracture occurs and remove any jewelry adorned in the dislocated finger. As the affected portion swells up, it may be difficult to remove afterward. And wearing a tight ring will negatively affect blood circulation and overall broken finger healing process. In case of already swollen fingers, applying ice and cold compresses will help in reducing inflammation. Discussed below are some effectual tips concerning treatment and recovery of a broken finger.

• The first and foremost thing is to use a finger splint. This helps in immobilizing the fractured bone and aligning the adjacent bones properly.
• In case of severe pain, applying ice packs for about 15 minutes is a good remedy to get instant relief. It numbs the swollen finger and reduces inflammation.
• Continue applying cold compresses or ice packs for the first 15 days. Reducing swelling and inflammation of the area is an effective remedy to promote quick healing.
• Wearing a finger sling for the injured one reduces pressure in the affected portion. Hence, if possible, use both finger splint and sling to shorten the recovery period.
• Most probably, the doctor will recommend wearing of the finger splint for 2-3 weeks, by which time the fractured bone heals. Usually, the splint is removed after three weeks.
• Last but not the least, follow the guidelines recommended by the orthopedic or general physician in order to ensure quick healing and complete recovery of the broken finger.

These were some of the tips, which you can practice to heal a broken finger within a short time. Even if you get minor sprained finger, addressing the problem as soon as possible is imperative to manage the symptoms effectively. So, do not delay in getting medical attention for a broken finger. Based on the severity of the break, the doctor will determine prospective broken finger healing time. If at all, symptoms do not subside and recovery is not achieved as expected, do not feel hesitant to contact the doctor. If required, surgical procedure will be performed to keep the dislocated bone in place.