Broken hand?

Got into a fight Monday night. Immediately afterward I could tell my hand was not in the greatest of shape. Couldn't move 3 of my fingers without pain... Iced it for 20 mins before wrapping it up. Got sent to by the gf to Solantic where they said I fractured my knuckle. This was monday night. They put a splint on it. Well Yesterday I took the splint off because my hand was feeling better. Have had it wrapped on and off since then. I can completely close my fist and use it like normal with minimal pain. I'm supposed to get a cast put on my hand tomorrow morning, I think its overkill.

So my question is this, if I can continue using my hand like normal (like I'm doing right now), is it really broken? Obviously I'm not in fighting shape but I figure my hand will heal. Is a cast really necessary?

 

i would go with the cast. you don't want to be dealing with a serious case of arthritis in that hand later in life. a little bit of inconvenience now will pay off later...

 

Probably a "Boxer's Fracture".

 

IMO, I think the splint should be fine. You did say that it was not hurting much, so I think just wearing the split will help it heal.

 

Which knuckle is fractured?? How bad is the swelling, discoloration?
No problems with movement, pain ect. in the wrist?

If it is the pinky knuckle, then boxers fracture is probably the case. Is your splinting something like this, the last 2 fingers immobilized?
We were always warned about this in self defense classes.


I'd say talk to the Doc and try to convince him that a splint would work better for you, but of course the Doctors advice should be followed.
Hope it heals up quickly for you.

 

Got boxers fracture. 3 weeks in a cast. I've had it less than 12 hours and already want it off.

 

your lucky..guy i work with broke his hand, now hes got a metal plate in it!

 

So when you get that cast off are you going to learn how to really punch??

Kidding!! ...sucks about the cast, hope it heals quickly for you.

 

Exactly. Similar thing happened to me when I was a teenager and I already have arthritis setting in when I put a strain on my wrist (ex. anytime I use a wrench or take oil filter off etc...)

You'll hate the cast now but be thankful later. I wish I woulda just went to get mine looked at. Now I deal with it constantly. It even hurts if I fish for an extended period

 

i had this exact thing happen to me a few years back, stupid ass fight, broke 2 knuckles. they put a cast on almost up to my elbow, like i had a broken wrist, for 4 weeks i think. now my hands fine id say 4 weeks is worth not having problems later

 

Off topic a bit but Did ya win?

 

Indeed I did.


For those who where wondering, I did get the cast. I had it on for a little over a week before we got it wet in the shower... Was supposed to have it on for 3 weeks. Took it off with a screw driver. Hands healed now though.

 

my friend i work with broke his hand and he went back to work too early, now he has pain when he uses that hand a lot. i can imagine that would really suck so its good that you put the cast on to make sure it heals.

 

i like your avatar

 

Glad it's back to normal. Hey for the next time, make sure to follow your doctors advice, because they really know what they're doing and they have a degree for it, so I'd take it they know what they are talking about.

 

I chipped the bone in my knuckle after accidentally punching the side of a garbage truck. 3/8" plate steel vs. flesh and bone...who would thought the steel would win. It healed pretty quick, but hurt like a suminabich for a a week or so. Cheap ass work doctors let me go with a splint and back to full duty the next day.

 

Hey bro, I'm a physician assistant for Alabama Orthopaedic clinic. If you did in fact break your hand, it is usually the 5th metacarpal or a Boxers Fx like somebody else aldeary mentioned. You definately need a series of X-rays to be able to rule this out. If it is not displaced, then you're in luck. Just wear the cast for 4-6 weeks. If it is displaced then you need to have it fixed. If you mess around with this and not treat it correctly you could definately have some serious problems down the road. You don't want this, so do yourself a favor and go see a real Orthopaedic Dr. Feel free to PM me if you have any other problems.