How long does a broken knuckle take to heal

Types of Hand Fractures

Your fracture may be in one of the following areas on your hand:

• On your knuckle
• Just below your knuckle (also called a boxer's fracture if it is in your small finger)
• In the shaft or middle part of the bone
• At the base of the bone, near your wrist
• A displaced fracture (this means part of the bone is not in its normal position)

If you have a bad break, you may be referred to a bone doctor (orthopedic surgeon). You may need surgery to insert pins and plates to repair the fracture.

What to Expect

You will likely have to wear a splint. The splint will cover part of your fingers and both sides of your hand and wrist. Your health care provider will tell you how long you need to wear the splint. Usually, it is for about 3 weeks.

Most fractures heal well. After healing, your knuckle may look different or your finger may move in a different way when you close your hand.

Some fractures require surgery. You will likely be referred to an orthopedic surgeon if:

• Your metacarpal bones are broken and shifted out of place
• Your fingers do not line up correctly
• Your fracture nearly went through the skin
• Your fracture went through the skin
• Your pain is severe or becoming worse

Self-care at Home

You may have pain and swelling for 1 or 2 weeks. To reduce this:

• Apply an ice pack to the injured area of your hand. To prevent skin injury from the coldness of the ice, wrap the ice pack in a clean cloth before applying.
• Keep your hand raised above your heart.

For pain, you can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol). You can buy these pain medicines without a prescription.

• Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past.
• Do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle or by your provider.
• Do not give aspirin to children.

Follow your provider's instructions about wearing your splint. Your provider will tell you when you can:

• Start moving your fingers around more while wearing your splint
• Remove your splint to take a shower or bath
• Remove your splint and use your hand

Keep your splint or cast dry. For example, when you shower, wrap the splint or cast in a plastic bag.

Follow-up

You will likely have a follow-up exam 1 to 3 weeks after your injury. For severe fractures, you may need physical therapy after your splint or cast is removed.

You can usually return to work or sports activities about 8 to 12 weeks after the fracture. Your provider or therapist will tell you when.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your provider if your hand is:

• Tight and painful
• Tingly or numb
• Red, swollen, or has an open sore
• Hard to open and close after your splint or cast is removed

Also call your provider if your cast is falling apart or putting pressure on your skin.

Alternative Names

Boxer's fracture - aftercare; Metacarpal fracture - aftercare

References

Gaston RG. Fractures of the metacarpals and phalanges. In: Wolfe SW, Pederson WC, Kozin SH, Cohen MS, eds. Green's Operative Hand Surgery. 8h ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 7.

Ruchelsman DE, Bindra RR. Fractures and dislocations of the hand. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.

Review Date 6/8/2022

Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

You use your hands all day long. It is likely that you will eventually injure your fingers. If that injury results in a broken knuckle, it’s good to know how to treat a broken knuckle. The treatment provided will vary depending on a number of factors. These include how the knuckle was broken, how old you are when the break occurs, what you do for work, and how functional you need your fingers to be.

The most common option for treating a broken knuckle is called knuckle strapping. As the name implies, this treatment involves connecting the damaged finger to a healthy finger using tape or a strap. The two fingers are strapped together for multiple weeks or more.

There are some instances where strapping is not a practical option. In these cases, splints or a cast may be used. But in some cases, the break is so serious that a more complicated remedy is needed. This is where surgery comes into the picture.

There are a number of options for fixing broken knuckles. Just as an example, metal bars may be placed between pins with the goal of keeping the bone and any bone fragments in a fixed position during the healing process.

Your knuckles are complicated. They are designed to provide flexibility, stability, and strength. Therefore, it is understandable that some complications may arise during and after the recovery process. The most common complication is stiffness. While your knuckle heels, your finger will be stiff.

The worst thing you could do is leave a broken knuckle untreated. If left to heal on its own, your knuckle will heal in an unnatural position that will further minimize flexibility, minimize strength, leave your finger looking deformed, and leave you with pain. If you have a broken knuckle, don’t delay. Make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery, located in Howell, Macomb, West Bloomfield, and Warren, to learn about your treatment options. Contact us today to book your consultation.

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