A broken hand is a common injury, resulting from falls, sports, or direct impact, involving a fracture or crack in one or more of the 27 bones in the hand or wrist. At-home treatment is strictly limited to first aid and pain management until you can see a medical professional. A proper medical diagnosis, bone setting, and immobilization with a cast or splint are always required for the bone to heal correctly. Using at-home methods as a substitute for professional medical care can lead to poor healing, long-term stiffness, and reduced grip strength.
Identifying a Possible Fracture
A fracture often presents with symptoms more severe than a simple sprain or bruise. The most telling sign is intense pain that worsens when attempting to grip, squeeze, or move the hand or fingers. This pain is often accompanied by immediate and noticeable swelling around the injury site.
Bruising or discoloration may appear shortly after the injury, along with tenderness to the touch. In some cases, the hand or a finger may appear visibly crooked, misshapen, or out of alignment, signaling a displaced bone. Stiffness or a complete inability to move the fingers or thumb can occur, though limited motion does not rule out a fracture.
Immediate Stabilization and Care
Immediate first aid focuses on minimizing swelling and preventing further damage before professional medical attention is sought. The principles of Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (R.I.C.E.) should be applied gently and cautiously. The hand must be rested and immobilized immediately, stopping any activity that causes pain or movement.
Apply a cold compress or ice pack, wrapped in a thin cloth, to the injured area for 10 to 20 minutes, allowing 40 minutes between applications. Ice application helps constrict blood vessels, reducing internal bleeding and inflammation.
Gently immobilize the hand using household materials, such as a rolled-up magazine or cardboard, extending from the forearm past the fingertips. Secure this loosely with a cloth or elastic bandage.
Keep the injured hand elevated above the level of the heart, using pillows or a makeshift sling, to encourage fluid drainage and reduce swelling. A compression bandage can help minimize swelling, but ensure the fingers do not become numb, cold, or change color, as this indicates restricted circulation.
Crucial Signs Requiring Emergency Medical Attention
While all suspected fractures require professional evaluation, certain signs indicate a medical emergency necessitating an immediate trip to the emergency room.
Open Fractures and Severe Trauma
An open or compound fracture, where the bone is visible or has broken through the skin, requires urgent care to prevent severe infection. Injuries involving severe crushing or trauma also require immediate attention due to the potential for extensive soft tissue damage.
Circulation and Nerve Issues
Signs of compromised circulation or nerve damage require immediate action. This includes sudden numbness in the hand or fingers, or if the fingers appear pale, blue, or excessively cold, suggesting restricted blood flow. Severe deformity or intense, uncontrollable pain also signals the need for emergency intervention.
Ongoing Management During Recovery
Once a medical professional has diagnosed the fracture and applied a cast or splint, at-home care shifts to managing comfort and ensuring the integrity of the immobilization device. Pain management typically involves following the doctor’s instructions for prescribed medication or using over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, as pain should steadily decrease in the days following the casting. Even with the cast, continue to elevate the hand above the heart, especially for the first few days, to keep residual swelling to a minimum.
The cast or splint must be kept completely clean and dry at all times, as moisture can weaken the material and lead to skin irritation or infection underneath. When bathing, cover the cast with a plastic bag sealed tightly with tape or a rubber band, or use a specialized waterproof cover. You should never insert objects inside the cast to scratch an itch, as this can break the skin and introduce bacteria, potentially leading to a serious infection.
Regularly monitor the skin around the edges of the cast for signs of pressure sores, excessive redness, or a foul odor, which may indicate an issue like an infection or skin breakdown. You should also watch for any increase in swelling, numbness, or a feeling that the cast is suddenly too tight, as this could signal a complication requiring immediate medical reassessment. Following the doctor’s advice on gentle movement of the uninjured fingers is important to prevent stiffness.