Is It Broken? Diagnosing and Dealing with a Broken Knuckle
Incurring a broken knuckle can be not only painful, but also debilitating in some cases. As knuckles are the basis by which both fingers and toes can move, damage done to them can hamper basic abilities such as walking or eating. While most knuckle injuries are minor, some incidents can permanently destroy the joint.
WHAT CAUSES A BROKEN KNUCKLE?
As with most parts of the body, injury is always possible. Knuckles are no exception. In fact, hand and foot knuckles are more likely than any other body part to be broken in a person’s lifetime. This fact is due, in part, to the location and constant usage of the joints. Most individuals who suffer from this type of breakage have obviously encountered some form of trauma to either hand or foot. In most cases, the following are likely causes of a broken knuckle:
- Automotive or sporting accidents
- Punching or kicking an object in the wrong way or too hard
- Direct and violent contact by another object, such as a hammer or bowling ball
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A BROKEN KNUCKLE?
Because there are many different types of injury that can occur to the knuckle, determining whether or not it’s broken is the first step to getting better. Below are some of the most common symptoms for this kind of damage. As a note, although these are typical indicators, there are times when a knuckle may be fractured or broken and no signs exist.
- Immediate and intense pain in and around the knuckle
- Deformity in the appendage, whether toes or fingers
- Minor to major degrees of swelling in and around the joint
- Over time, bruising may appear
- Numbness or dull pain in the appendage
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT A BROKEN KNUCKLE?
If a broken joint is suspected, it is important to seek the aid of a health professional quickly. In most cases, he or she will be able to reset the broken knuckle and repair the damaged caused by breakage with little effort. In minor instances, all that is usually required for treatment is that of a splint and low dose pain medication.
If you experience knuckle breakage and cannot get to a doctor right away, there are some first aid techniques to use until you get help.
- Immediately splint the break with a firm, small board and whatever roping material you may have. Be sure not to tie the restraint too tight as this may cut off circulation and remember that swelling will occur quickly.
- Apply a cold compress, ice, or bag of frozen vegetables to the finer or toe that is broken.
- Try to keep the finger or toe above heart level until help can be gained.
In more serious cases, however; surgery may be the only option for preventing future deformity or debilitation. Typically, injuries sustained in violent accidents involve some form of reconstruction. Often, when a joint has been virtually destroyed, metal plates and pins may be used to stabilize the structure and enable close to normal movement.
HOW TO AVOID A BROKEN KNUCKLE
Although avoidance of injury is not always possible, there are some things that a person can do to limit this type of harm.
- Never hit or kick hard objects without appropriate safety gear
- Slow down and be more aware of your surroundings. Stubbing your toe on furniture in the dark is a great way to get a broken knuckle!
- When using equipment that could cause damage to your joints, be cautious. Always follow safety procedures and precautions.