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Fingertip Injuries

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  1. What Are Fingertip Injuries?
  2. Testimonials
  3. What are the Types of Fingertip Injuries?
  4. What Causes Fingertip Injuries?
  5. What Treatment Options Are Available for Fingertip Injuries?
  6. What to Expect After Fingertip Injury Treatment
  7. Schedule a Consultation at the Regional Hand Center
  8. Fingertip Injuries Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Patient Resources
  10. Meet The Team

What Are Fingertip Injuries?

The fingertips are the bones, fingernails, and pads of skin at the end of the finger. A fingertip injury can occur because of any type of trauma to the tip of the finger, including blunt force, crushing, dislocations, or cuts. Fingertip injuries can require specialized care because of the concentrated number of sensory nerves in the fingertips (which can make injuries especially painful). In order to prevent scarring or permanent nerve damage, an orthopedic hand specialist can provide the right treatment.

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What are the Types of Fingertip Injuries?

There are many different types of fingertip injuries, but some of the most common ones include:

  • Broken bone
  • Dislocation
  • Fingertip laceration
  • Tendon injury
  • Inability to flex the knuckle
  • Torn nail
  • Bleeding under the fingernail

These types of fingertip injuries usually come with symptoms like bleeding or visible bruising, deformity, swelling, pain, and numbness.

What Causes Fingertip Injuries?

Fingertip injuries can happen during many day-to-day activities like cutting vegetables or using power tools. However, they can also occur from more severe circumstances like car accidents, workplace incidents, or sports injuries. In either case, fingertip injuries that involve care from an orthopedic hand specialist usually extend beyond just at-home care and require surgical or reconstructive intervention.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Fingertip Injuries?

There are a variety of treatment options available depending on your unique circumstances. Your orthopedic hand specialist may perform a combination of the following treatments:

  • Splinting: stabilizes the joint in order to heal minor factures, tendon injuries, or dislocations.
  • Surgery: repairs complex fractures or tears. It can also include amputation.
  • Nailbed repair: repairs the nailbed and removes a broken or disrupted nail.
  • Closed reduction: realigns broken or dislocated bones non-surgically.
  • Hematoma decompression: relieves pressure and drains blood in the nailbed using tiny pinholes.

What to Expect After Fingertip Injury Treatment

Your orthopedic hand specialist will provide detailed aftercare instructions during your treatment. However, the best way to take care of fingertip injuries is by preventing them in the first place. Always take great care and use safety best practices when using machinery, power tools, or kitchenware. Additionally, always wear protective equipment when doing high-risk activities like contact sports or motorsports. Our orthopedic hand specialists can help you understand ways to protect your fingers from injury during your consultation.

Schedule a Consultation at the Regional Hand Center

Fingertip injuries can be extremely painful, but our team is here to help. To schedule a consultation at our Fresno, CA office, contact us by calling or filling out our online form.

Fingertip Injuries Frequently Asked Questions

What are common types of fingertip injuries?

Fingertip injuries can include lacerations (cuts), crush injuries, amputations, and nail bed injuries. These injuries can involve the skin, soft tissue, bone, and nails. These commonly occur in households using tools, such as kitchen knives and box cutters, but they occur most commonly at work from machines, tools, and crush injuries.

When should I seek medical attention for a fingertip injury?

Seek medical attention if you experience: - Severe pain or excessive bleeding that doesnt stop after applying pressure. - Loss of sensation or movement. - Visible deformity or deep cuts exposing bone. - Injury to the nail or nail bed. - Partial or complete amputation of the fingertip.

What should I do immediately after a fingertip injury?

First, stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. If the injury involves an amputation, try to preserve the fingertip by wrapping it in a clean, damp cloth and placing it in a plastic bag. The bag should then be placed on ice (but not directly in contact with the ice). Seek medical care immediately.

How are fingertip injuries treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. You may treat minor cuts or lacerations with cleaning, bandaging, and stitches if necessary. More severe injuries may require splinting, surgery to repair bones, or reattachment of an amputated fingertip. Nail bed injuries might need special attention to prevent permanent deformity.

Will I need surgery for a fingertip injury?

Surgery may be necessary if the fingertip is fractured, has significant tissue damage, or has been amputated. In amputation cases, surgery can involve repairing soft tissue, reconstructing the nail bed, or even reattaching the fingertip. Surgery depends on the type of injury. It may be necessary if the bone is fractured, the fingertip has significant tissue damage, or it has been amputated. Surgery can also prevent and decrease the chance of deformities in the future.

Can a fingertip be reattached after an amputation?

In some cases, yes. If the amputation is clean and the detached fingertip is preserved correctly, it may be possible to reattach it surgically. However, success depends on factors such as the extent of the damage, the patients health, and how quickly medical care is received.

How long does it take to recover from a fingertip injury?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the injury. Minor injuries may heal within 2-4 weeks, while more severe injuries, including those requiring surgery, can take several months to recover fully.

Will I regain full function and sensation in my fingertip after an injury?

Most patients regain function and sensation, but the degree of recovery depends on the severity of the injury and the treatment quality. Some patients may experience permanent numbness, stiffness, or changes in sensation, especially after a more severe injury or amputation.

What are the risks of not treating a fingertip injury properly?

Failure to properly treat a fingertip injury can result in complications like infection, chronic pain, stiffness, or permanent deformity. In some cases, untreated injuries can lead to impaired hand function or long-term disability.

How can I prevent fingertip injuries?

To prevent fingertip injuries: - Use proper protective gear when using tools or engaging in activities with potential hand hazards. - Be mindful of where you place your hands, especially around doors, heavy objects, or machinery. - Ensure sharp tools are correctly maintained to avoid accidents. - Avoid using blunt kitchen knives at home as this is the most common cause of accidental injury.

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Whether you are planning a procedure or you are interested in options for treatment, the professional and caring Regional Hand Center team makes it easy to find the answers you need. For an appointment or answers to your questions, call (559) 322-HAND.

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Randi A. Galli, MD

Board-Certified Surgeon

Dr. Randi Galli is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. A member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society that comprises the top ten percent of medical students, Dr. Galli received his Medical Degree from Tulane University School…

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Ricardo Avena, MD

Board-Certified Surgeon

Dr. Ricardo Avena is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Born and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Avena attended medical school at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Upon graduation, Dr. Avena received his certification from the Educational…

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Isobel Santos, MD

Board-Certified Surgeon

Dr. Santos attended the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A in Molecular and Cell Biology with a focus on Cell and Developmental Biology. She then received her medical degree at University of Vermont College of Medicine where she was nominated to be a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha…

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