Hand Fractures: How plastic surgery can help you regain full mobility
There are countless bones in our bodies that we can break. However, there is one area whereby a fracture tends to have a greater impact on our ability to function day to day – this is our hands. We rely on our hands continuously throughout the day, to help us shower, dress, eat, work and carry out all types of different activities. Therefore, experiencing a hand fracture can be extremely debilitating, particularly if after we heal, we are still experiencing some problems with mobility.
It may surprise you to learn that there are various types of hand fracture that can affect us. These tend to get divided into the following categories:
Finger Fractures:
Finger fractures are exceedingly common occurrences and your digits have the highest risk of injury of any part of your hand. This is partly due to their fragility – with each finger having three bones called phalanges, and your thumb having two. In addition to these, your fingers have knuckle joints where the phalanges meet, and these too can become injured. Finger fractures are also common due to the fact that we use our fingers constantly throughout the day. Breaks often occur due to catching our fingers in doors and gates or between objects, as a result of trying to break a fall or even when we are trying to catch a fast-moving object.
Although anyone can be affected by a finger fracture, they are more common amongst people who play sports and who work with their hands, such as carpenters, mechanics or plumbers. Finger fractures are usually characterized by pain, swelling, tenderness and a limited range of motion. Your finger might also be noticeably deformed.
Hand Fractures:
A hand fracture is characterized as a break on one of the boned that forms the main part of the hand and not the fingers themselves. The long bones that are found within the palm of your hand are called metacarpals and it is fractures of the fifth metacarpal (the bone that leads to the little finger) that is most common. This most often occurs when you punch a hard object with a closed fist. All fractures of the hand bones can cause swelling, bruising, pain and mobility problems. You may also notice that one finger appears shorter than the others, or the injured finger crosses over the one next to it when you try to make a fist.
Wrist Fractures:
A wrist fracture or broken wrist most often occurs as a result of a fall whereby the person puts their hands out to stop themselves from hitting the ground. Unfortunately, this blunt force trauma can be severe enough to cause one of the ten bones that make up the wrist and forearm to fracture. If your wrist is broken, you will certainly experience pain and swelling. It may also be impossible to move your hand or wrist, although some patients do retain some mobility.
The effects of hand fractures and standard treatment
Needless to say, the effects of a hand fracture can vary significantly depending on the type and severity of the break. In the case of a finger fracture, often strapping the injured finger to its neighbor for a number of weeks is sufficient for helping it heal. However, more complex fractures can require treatments including casts, slings and ongoing rehabilitation to help you regain the proper use of your wrist, hand or fingers once again. Sometimes the way that the bone heals can actual limit mobility further, creating a more serious long-term effect on the way that you use your hand.
Fortunately, plastic surgery can help ensure that the affected bones in your hand, wrist or fingers heal correctly so that you have the best chance at regaining full mobility after your injury.
Why choose plastic surgery to repair your broken hand?
If you have anything other than a hairline fracture, plastic surgery is your best option to repair a more complicated break. Your surgeon can insert plates, pins or wires if necessary, which can help to restore the natural movement of your fingers, hand or wrist. This will increase the likelihood that you will be able to use your hand as normal once you recovery from your surgery. In some instances, it may be necessary for you to undergo bone grafting. This is where bone is taken from another part of your body and attached to the injured area to stimulate new, healthy bone growth where the natural bone has been eroded or shattered. Again, this will help to facilitate movement in the joint, particularly if the bone graft makes it possible for you to undergo treatment for wires, plates and pins that will allow flexing and bending.
After your surgery, your plastic surgeon will recommend a course of physical therapy exercises for your hand which will help to build strength in the muscles, tendons and joints and achieve the best possible range of movement.
If you would like more information about hand fractures and the benefit of plastic surgery for your recovery, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our experienced and reassuring plastic surgery team here at Clark Plastics in McKinney and Dallas, TX. Call 469-675-3659 (McKinney) or 469-675-3659 (Dallas) today!
