Treating a broken hand? Help needed

CCU NRS · Nov 9, 2004

Ice pack for the swelling, tylenol for pain and if you don't want to go to ER find a clinic and get it checked out, depending on if it is broken and where the break is you may need a cast etc.

disclaimer: I am not a Physician and can not give medical advice, go to a Physician. I am only replying to your post because I want to help, obviously do not take tylenol if you are allergic, other things such as alleve, ibuprofin will also work.

ps don't hit walls they don't get hurt and they don't feel a thing. you might want to look into anger management as well

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 9, 2004

You need to see a physician, have x-rays, etc. You might need a cast or just a splint if it is actually broken. You might even need surgury, but that is probably not the case. I broke my knuckle (the middle one -- on the hand, not in the finger) and just needed a splint for 2 months and some Occupational Therapy.

Knuckles can be tricky. If you want it to heal well and recover full use of that hand, you need to treat it properly.

Go to a physician! Hopefully, you will be referred to an orthopedist, preferably a hand specialist.

llg

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 9, 2004

Get to a doctor, like they said. Meantime, RICE is the rule.

Rest

Ice

Compression (wrapping it)

Elevation (keep it high)

Good luck-----hope you did not do any permanent damage!

Nurse Ratched, RN · Nov 9, 2004

Ice pack for the swelling, tylenol for pain and if you don't want to go to ER find a clinic and get it checked out, depending on if it is broken and where the break is you may need a cast etc.
disclaimer: I am not a Physician and can not give medical advice, go to a Physician. I am only replying to your post because I want to help, obviously do not take tylenol if you are allergic, other things such as alleve, ibuprofin will also work.
ps don't hit walls they don't get hurt and they don't feel a thing. you might want to look into anger management as well

True dat.

Everything he said, especially the part about seeing a doctor. Fractures have a shelf life in which decent repairs can be made. Hands are important and chronic pain stinks.

TMPaul · Nov 9, 2004

Hi there, my name's ouch for a reason ... I think I may have broke my hand last night..eh...punching a wall (I know..I know)...And I was hoping one of you ladies/gentlemen might give me some advice to the best of your knowledge.
The ppain and swelling is most prominant on the small finger's knuckle and I can't raise my small finger up wihtout assistance. Most of the pain is on the knuckle to about a half centimeter below the knuckle (on the top of the hand). It tends to hurt, throb rather, on and off. Wwhat do you think?
Sorry if this board isn't meant for these kind of questions but I don't know who to ask or if I should take the trip to the ER (which I really don't want to do). I mean, is there anything they do for a broken hand, the bone nearest the outside?
Thank you for your help :)
-Ouch!

I agree- trip to ER to havi it x-rayed. Sounds like a Boxer's Fracture (from punching!!) to me and will need xrays to definitively diagnosis and treat. :)

FZ1Tom · Nov 9, 2004

Next time, make sure you miss the wall stud! :uhoh3: Been there, done that (the wall lost).........but it was still a dumbass thing to do. All levity aside, you might or might not have busted your hand, and the wisest course of action is to swallow your embarassment or wounded pride, whatever it may be and go see a doc. Urgent care costs a lot less than ER. If you DO decide to be thickheaded about it and forego an evaluation, then I have a crooked left pinky finger I'll trade you for (at least its not painful). One way or the other you're gonna have a reminder of your momentary lapse of reason. Good luck.

Tom

sharann, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2004

All the above is the best advice. I would add maybe an anger management seesion or two?Feel better.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Nov 9, 2004

DOCTOR, DOCTOR, DOCTOR!!!

Yep sounds like a boxer's fx to me too. Ice, Compression, Elevation, DOCTOR! if you delay you may end up with a nonfunctioning grip on the pinky side of that hand. And quit hitting stuff. Your hands are too valuable.

Ouch · Nov 10, 2004

Thank you all for the multiple responses. RICE helped.

And, I am actually a boxer, and no- I don't need anger management given the situation I was in when I was angry (and dumb and drunk) enough to punch the wall.

I called the hospital and spoke with a nurse who told me it didn't seem to be broken, but it sure feels like it is. Swelling is down (but still very much there) and I can close and open my fist without assistance.

So I guess It'll be fine. Again, thank you all for your advice. :roll

gicnurse · Nov 10, 2004

I doubt the nurse you spoke with has telephonic x-ray vision. I would go and have it checked. You can have broken bones in your hand and still open and close it. It may be broken. Do you want to wait until you lose function in your hand to find that out?