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Common Ground News

Why does my broken finger hurt?

Author

Chloe Ramirez

Updated on March 15, 2026

Why does my broken finger hurt?

Broken finger symptoms usually are pain immediately after the injured part of the finger, and sometimes a deformed finger. If the trauma is severe, broken bones may be exposed through the soft tissues (called a compound fracture).

Beside this, how long does a broken finger hurt?

Breaks in the bones of the finger usually heal well in about 3 to 4 weeks. The pain and swelling from a broken finger can last for weeks. But it should steadily improve, starting a few days after you break it.

Also Know, can a broken finger heal on its own? A broken finger or thumb usually heals within 2 to 8 weeks, but it can take longer. It may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to your hand. Once it's healed, use your finger or thumb as normal. Your doctor may be able to give you some gentle hand exercises.

In respect to this, what happens if a broken finger goes untreated?

When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

How do you heal a broken finger fast?

Temporary splinting, ice, and pain control are helpful supportive treatments. Make a splint to immobilize your finger even if that means putting a popsicle stick or pen next to it and wrapping something around the stick and your finger. Apply ice to the injured finger as you head to an emergency department.

What does a broken finger look like?

A true fracture usually will be painful, but a broken finger may still have some range of motion and dull pain, and the individual may still be able to move it. Usually within 5-10 minutes, swelling and bruising of the finger will occur and the finger will stiffen. Swelling may affect the adjacent fingers as well.

What can a doctor do for a broken finger?

Your doctor will put your broken bone back into place, usually without surgery. You will get a splint or cast to hold your finger straight and protect it from further injury while it heals. Usually a splint on a fractured finger is worn for about 3 weeks.

Do I need to go to hospital for a broken finger?

After injury, if pain or swelling limits the motion or use of the fingers, or if the finger becomes numb, seek medical care. If the injury to the finger includes a laceration, crushed tissue, or exposure of bone, the individual should go to an emergency department for immediate medical care.

How do you know if you broke your finger or break it?

Frequently, you have immediate pain after trauma and sometimes a deformed finger either at a joint (commonly a dislocation) or through the bone as a fracture. If there is no deformity, a person will typically feel a sharp pain at the injury site. You may not always be sure the finger is broken and try to bend it.

Can you do anything for a broken finger?

Treatment for a broken finger depends on the location of the fracture and whether it's stable. Taping the fractured finger to an adjacent intact finger may treat a stable fracture. Unstable fractures require immobilization. After your doctor aligns the fracture, or reduces it, they can apply a splint.

What do doctors do for broken fingers?

Nonsurgical Treatment
Your doctor will put your broken bone back into place, usually without surgery. You will get a splint or cast to hold your finger straight and protect it from further injury while it heals. Sometimes your doctor may splint the fingers next to the fractured one to provide additional support.

How do you treat a broken finger at home?

Treatment. Temporary splinting, ice, and pain control are helpful supportive treatments. Make a splint to immobilize your finger even if that means putting a popsicle stick or pen next to it and wrapping something around the stick and your finger. Apply ice to the injured finger as you head to an emergency department.

Should you wear a splint to bed?

Many people with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome wear a splint at night for a few weeks. The splint holds the joint in a neutral position. The symptoms are worse at night because your hand is more likely to bend while you're sleeping. The splint prevents this from happening.

Should I go to the ER for a broken finger?

After injury, if pain or swelling limits the motion or use of the fingers, or if the finger becomes numb, seek medical care. If the injury to the finger includes a laceration, crushed tissue, or exposure of bone, the individual should go to an emergency department for immediate medical care.

Do you need a cast for a fractured finger?

Casts that go up to the elbow often are used for broken fingers, because they keep the finger and hand from moving. That gives the broken bone the best chance to heal well. For finger fractures that don't require surgery, a cast is usually only needed for about three or four weeks.

Will drinking milk help a broken bone heal faster?

Calcium. This mineral also helps you build strong bones, so foods and drinks rich in it can help your bone fracture heal. Good sources: Milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, broccoli, turnip or collard greens, kale, bok choy, soy, beans, canned tuna or salmon with bones, almond milk, and fortified cereals or juice.

Can you move a fractured finger?

You may not always be sure the finger is broken and try to bend it. If it's broken, doing so will usually be painful. Don't be fooled if you can still move the finger. In some cases, there may still be some range of motion and only dull pain.

What slows down bone healing?

A wide variety of factors can slow down the healing process. These include: Movement of the bone fragments; weightbearing too soon. Smoking, which constricts the blood vessels and decreases circulation.

Can broken bone heal without cast?

Assuming conditions are just right, a broken bone can heal without a cast. However, (and very importantly) it doesn't work in all cases. Likewise, a broken bone left to heal without a cast may heal improperly.

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