Finger Fracture

Broken fingers are common hand injuries. These are also called "finger fractures." They can occur from a variety of injuries such as a fall, a motor vehicle collision, or sports injury. Satisfactory healing of this type of injury is important to restoring the overall hand function. Early diagnosis and treatment of a finger fracture is very helpful in the recovery process.

What is a phalanx fracture?

Each finger in the hand is made up of 3 phalanges: the proximal phalanx, middle phalanx, and distal phalanx. The thumb has two phalanges. A "phalanx fracture" is the medical term for a broken bone in the finger. This fracture can involve the proximal, middle or distal phalanx, depending on the type of injury. The metacarpal bones connect the phalanges to the carpal bones in the wrist. See normal hand x-rays below.

What are the Treatment Options for Finger Fracture?

The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the fracture as noted on the x-rays and the patient’s medical condition, activity level, and desires. Most people have fractures which are stable and well-aligned, and, therefore, do not require surgery. Treatment in these cases is typically rest and protection with a splint for a few weeks. Sometimes “buddy-taping” to the uninjured, adjacent finger can be used in stable fractures. Follow-up x-rays are obtained in clinic to evaluate how the fracture is healing. Some fractures can be re-aligned without surgery with numbing medicine, called a “closed reduction” procedure, and those patients can also be treated non-operatively. Therapy is often helpful in improving range of motion and strength after the fracture heals.

Some patients have fractures which are more displaced and the alignment of the fracture is not satisfactory. Depending on the patient’s health and activity level, surgery may be advised to improve and maintain the alignment. A fracture which heals in poor alignment (“crooked”) can significantly affect the patient’s grip strength and hand function. Fractures which injure the joint surface are more prone to complications such as finger stiffness and joint arthritis.

What is Involved in Finger Fracture Surgery?

The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using either local anesthesia (injected numbing medicine) or regional anesthesia (nerve block at the shoulder) often with IV sedation. During the surgery, the doctor improves the alignment of the finger fracture and uses metal implants to stabilize the bones. Fluoroscopic x-rays are used in the operating room to confirm the alignment.

In some cases, we use a small plate and/or screws to fix the bones internally. The orthopedic hardware is covered by the skin and soft tissues of the finger and rests against the surface of the bone. This is called “open reduction and internal fixation” and requires an incision on the finger. In other cases, we use temporary pins (K-wires) through the skin to hold the fragments aligned while the bone heals. This is called “closed reduction and percutaneous pinning.” The pins can be removed in the office after 3-4 weeks. Which technique is used depends on the fracture pattern and is sometimes determined in the operating room by the surgeon.

Surgery does not really “heal” the fracture; it simply allows the bones to be held in good alignment while the body bridges the fracture site with new bone over a few weeks.

What is the Recovery from Finger Fracture Surgery Like?

Hand therapy is often helpful when recovering from a finger fracture surgery. Finger pain, swelling, scar tissue, and hand stiffness gradually improve over time after the surgery, and this can be improved with hand therapy. The bone takes about 6 weeks to heal, but full hand recovery can take several months. The recovery time varies among patients, depending on the severity of the injury and a patient's risk factors. Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center doctors can advise you about the best treatment options for your finger fracture.

Heal Well from Your Finger Fracture with Expert Treatment

A finger fracture can be painful and inconvenient. Our team of specialists at Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center is here to help you recover quickly and effectively. Regain use of your hand with our expert care and advanced treatments. Call our office today or schedule an appointment online with on of our specialists.

Updated 6/21/2025