Diagnosing and treating hand fractures in Paramus

Hand fracture care in Paramus
Basic tasks and daily activities can be nearly impossible when you have sustained a hand fracture. As is the case with any broken bone, the sooner you seek medical attention, the better the outcome will be. For exceptional hand fracture care in Paramus, come to the experts – North Jersey Joint Care Center. Dr. Michael C. Distefano, a well respected orthopedist, specializes in providing the most technologically advanced treatments to patients suffering from disorders of the musculoskeletal system. He is known for performing new minimally invasive procedures and utilizing the most advanced technology to provide patients with the best possible outcome. At North Jersey Joint Care Center, our primary goal is to help you recover from your orthopedic injury as fast and as efficiently as possible. Our dedicated team of doctors and therapists uses state of the art technology to treat your condition, including diagnosing and treating hand fractures.
Fractures of the hand can occur in either the small bones of the fingers (phalanges) or the long bones (metacarpals). They can result from a twisting injury, a fall, a crush injury, or direct contact in sports. The symptoms of a broken bone in the hand include swelling, tenderness, deformity, inability to move the finger, a shortened finger, a finger that crosses over its neighbor when making a partial fist, or a depressed knuckle. A depressed knuckle is also described as a “boxer’s fracture.” This is a fracture of the fifth metacarpal, the long bone below the little finger. To offer the best hand fracture care in Paramus, Dr. Distefano will do a physical examination to check the position of the fingers and the condition of the skin. The examination may include some range of motion tests and an assessment of feeling in the fingers. This will ensure that there is no damage to the nerves. X-rays identify the location and extent of the fracture.
Hand fracture care in Paramus consists of two options: non-surgical or surgical. Most of the time, the bones can be realigned by manipulating them without surgery. A cast, splint or fracture-brace is applied to immobilize the bones and hold them in place. The cast will probably extend from the fingertips down past the wrist almost to the elbow. This ensures that the bones remain fixed in place. The cast will be worn for three to six weeks. Gentle hand exercises can probably be started after three weeks. Afterward, the finger may be slightly shorter, but this should not affect the ability to use the hand and fingers. Some hand fractures require surgery to stabilize and align the bones. These fractures usually break through the skin or result from a crushing accident. Wires, screws, or plates are implanted into the broken bone to hold the pieces of the fractured bone in place. For fast and effective treatment of your hand fracture, contact North Jersey Joint Care Center today.