Arthritis from Boxer's Fracture?

About 6 years ago, I had punched a wall and got myself a nifty little Boxer's Fracture. (Smart, right?) Though, it was casted for a month, I never received surgery or any sort of physical therapy for said break. The thing of it is, I am an artist and of course my dominant hand was the one to take the hit. The pain is dull yet constant, while as the joint both above and underneath constantly pop and seem to be jammed or out of place. As I feel on the top side of the physical knuckle, there is spacing and my finger is obviously shorter. Should I consider surgery? Shots? I want to be able to draw without having such a grueling pain... Is this possible? Or should I give up all hope now.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

I would suggest you to go in a graded step wise manner.

Go for an X-ray and have your hand examined by an orthopedician and confirm if your fracture has healed.

Take pain killers, apply ice packs and also consider physiotherapy to decrease the pain.

Surgery and other options can only be considered once you are diagnosed and I would also want to add that always go conservatively till you can treat it.

Take care!

[Klaskah]

I had seen an Ortho, I should have been specific. But he was very dismissive. His exact words were, "You have the same problem as 90% of other Americans: Nothing." I had seen the XRays, and my knuckle IS out of place and I am wondering if I get a second opinion that surgery would be a wise option or not.

I have Naproxen for swelling and that is the only treatment I received. The pain is becoming worse everyday and I feel I should nip this in the bud before it becomes a REAL problem.

(Thank you for your reply, by the way.)