Hand Fractures: How Broken Hands Are Treated in Houston

How you take care of a hand fracture in Houston or what you think may be a broken hand is important for its future use, functionality and range of motion. Since your fingers, hand and wrist work together through a network of bones and muscles, untreated hand fractures can prevent you from using them.

Your activities may put you at a greater risk. Sports injuries, automobile accidents or other medical conditions can increase your chances of injury. Certain diseases such as osteoporosis that weakens bones, causing them to become thinner and fragile, can lead to hand fractures. If your bone damage is severe and involves shattering of bone, repair may require surgery.

Why Treat Quickly

Delaying treatment could mean more damage in the future. Without an X-ray or medical evaluation, you could be setting yourself up for future problems such as limitation of movement of the hand, osteoarthritis or blood vessel and nerve damage.

Dr. Jason Ashford has been treating patients in the Houston and Conroe, Texas area for over 9 years. As a board certified hand surgeon, he says his mission is to “relieve pain, restore function and help his patients return to work and play”. As many patients have already learned, you can trust Dr. Ashford to repair your broken hand as well as design a recovery that includes hand therapy and physical therapy all at one convenient location.

Symptoms of a Broken Hand or Fracture

  • Pain in the hand or wrist area
  • Stiffness of the hand, wrist or fingers
  • Numbness
  • Swelling
  • Limited movement
  • Appearance of misshapen or crooked fingers
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Types of Fractures

Hand and wrist fractures are the same as a break and can happen in different variations and degrees. The following is a list of most common types:

  • Stable fracture – bones are broken but still remain aligned in their normal pathway
  • Unstable fracture – shifting of bone fragments has occurred
  • Communicated fracture – bones are shattered
  • Compound or open fracture – bone fragments push through the skin potentially leading to infection

Diagnosis and Treatment

Once Dr. Ashford and our medical staff see you and perform the proper X-Rays and testing, treatment methods will be discussed with you.

Options for Treatment

  • Splint or cast
  • Ice packs
  • Minor non-surgical procedure to set or re-position bones with wires and pins
  • Surgical repair of bone fragments to place pins, plates or screws

If your bones are missing or severely crushed and beyond repair, a bone graft may be recommended.

During the Healing Process

While recovery is different for everyone, there are some tips to help speed the process and answer questions.

You may develop a bony lump at the point of the break known as a “fracture callus”. Other problems that you may experience during the healing process include:

  • Stiffness
  • Shifting or your bones
  • Slow healing
  • Infection

There are times when fractures may not heal completely. Remember that your bones are tied directly to your ligaments and muscles. This means you may experience stiffness and soreness for a period of time. Occasionally, the break can lead to arthritis in the future.

Tips for a Healthier Recovery

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand eliminating smoking and eating the right foods improves your chances of a better recovery. Foods including a diet of the right amount of calcium and vitamin D can improve strength. Once approved by your doctor, exercise with brisk walking and add weight bearing routines to encourage bone mass.

Whether you are looking for an immediate repair or in need of a second opinion on the right treatment for a hand fracture or break, Dr. Ashford welcomes you to contact his office to schedule your appointment in Houston or Conroe, Texas.

Do you think you may have experienced one of these types of breaks or injury to your hand, wrist or fingers?

Contact our office for an immediate appointment with Dr. Ashford.

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