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Fractured pinky finger

My son is 15 and suffered a fracture of the joint of his right pinky in the palm of his hand. The fracture is in the small area that sits to the inside of the bottom knuckle on his pinky. We took him to an orthopedic doctor who xrayed his hand and confirmed the fracture and then put him in a hard cast from his elbow to his wrist with a wrap the rest of the way. This was on for 10 days. He returned today and with my husbands request the doctor did not put the hard cast on but taped the pinky to the ring finger and then put a soft cast from the tip of his fingers to his elbow. My son fractured his hand playing baseball, went on to play in three more games with the fingers wrapped before we were able to get the first appointment. He states that there is no pain but there is bruising and a smal amount of swelling in the area between the two fingers.


Finally, my question....As a parent I am struggling with the DR and the 15 year old. He is unable to swim, unable to play video games, unable to play baseball  and miserable. He has broken both pinkies in sports before and this type of extensive treatment has never been done. AM I WRONG...in going against medical advice and allowing him to use his hand WITHIN REASON? What is the chance that just keeping them taped will have the same end result as the cast that now has his other fingers and wrist stiff? The doctor consulted a hand specialist and told my husband that taping the fingers and a splint would be fine and a cast would not be needed. Is the splint protecting the joint or is keeping the entire are immobile helping to heal it? It is the summer, he is miserable....we are miserable and it is just a pinky......HELP!
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Avatar universal
I have the same thing going on right now. I can't afford to see a doctor.
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Avatar universal
Broken pinky between knuckel and first joint. Casted with pins for 6 weeks. Got cast off today therapy starts in two days. Very stiff pinky and ring finger was casted with it so its very stiff to.  Will update.
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Avatar universal
Was it dislocated or fractured?  Did the Doctor let you look at the x-rays?
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Avatar universal
My daughter right pinky was dislocated in a bazketball game about one week ago it look like the shape of a boomerang. A high school head football coach popped it back in and she iced it then taped her ring n pinky together. We went to dr on following monday had xray sone and she fractured it. Dr put her in a splint said no sports for 2-3 weeks UGH! She goes to an orthopedic Thursday as recommended by her pedestrian. The swelling has gone down but she she can only bend her pinky halfway. We r still wearing a splint on the finger. My daughter who is wondering now can if i wear my splint and tape it good can i play basketball still? Are ther hamd braces for pinkys? Feedback please this 14yris old lives for basketball and just got recruited by one of oklahomas #1 recruited basketball academy's for college in future and has been playing exceptional well! Now here we r at seems like a stand still UGH! Any suggestions just 3 days til basketball tourney!!!! Prayers would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! TO US IS THE BEST REMEDY!
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Avatar universal
How long did he have the cast on?  My son just fractured his pinky sliding into 2nd base.  It's also below the second knuckle.  It's just above the growth plate, so he's going to see a specailist tomorrow accourding to protocol, says the Doctor.  
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Avatar universal
My 13 year old son fractured his left hand pinky, he's right handed, above the growth plate that is just above the hand itself.  The Doctor is sending him to a hand specailist pediactiric ortho tomorrow.  It's really small but because of the proximity to the growth plate the Doctor said "it's protocol when the break is close to the growth plate."  Do you think he will need a cast all the way to below the elbow, because it's so close to the hand, or do you think it could be splinted.  He did it sliding into 2nd base.  We iced and taped it at the knuckles and buddy taped it and he came in and pitched relief for the next two innings.  He has a tourney this weekend (I know he will not make), another in 3 weeks, one in 4 weeks, and another the week after that.  I know you can't see the x-rays but if you had to make a guess given the information I've provided, can you answer the cast/splint question and if he doesn't need surgery do you think he makes any of those tournaments?  Thank you very much, Mike
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Avatar universal
Hi unfortunate pinky fractures,

I'm 43 and broke my left pinky finger at the knuckle and the mid-joint which required 2 pins to stabilize the finger.  Hurts like hell!!  They put me in a soft cast until surgery for 6 days.  After surgery, I was in a hard cast type splint with wrap and that sucked because the swelling spread to my good fingers and wrist.  Three days after surgery, they removed the cast and took x-rays to make sure it was correct.  They then gave me a removable splint until it fully heals.  They want me to start physical therapy 5 days from now.  The point of all this is that the pinky is the 2nd most important digit on the hand.  Without it, your grip losses approxiately 35% of its strength.  Don't let the kids play sports until it is healed fully.
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Avatar universal
My question is, will i probably need surgery? I just dont see how this cast will pull this bone fragment back into place.
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992527 tn?1299204815
Please review this post carefully and decide for yourself. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Orthopedics/Broken-Pinky-Finger----Post-Surgery-Stiffness/show/510761?personal_page_id=881027

In my experience I have not seen an abundance of positive outcomes from casting.
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Avatar universal
Last Friday i fractured my right pinky finger playing basketball. I first went to my regular doctor to get x-rays, the x-rays showed that i have a displaced fracture to my joint along with a bone fragment and torn ligaments.(the ligaments pulled off a chunk of the bone off my joint) He then sent me to an orthopedic surgen who put me in a short cast. He believes I can recover shortly without surgery because the cast will allow the ligaments to pull the bone fragment back into place. Does this even seem possible? Will the bonefragment re-attatch itself once returning to its original place?
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Avatar universal
Daisy,
  First of all, concerning your little boy's finger circumstances, upon the doctor stating that he needs surgery..??
  Have you seen the x-rays of your son's hand, and have they exactly explained why there is "definite need" for surgery?

I too was told that I needed surgery, but I was also given the option of a "reduction" which is a lot less complicated, as the hand is numbed (with a nerve block) and then the finger is realigned and put into a cast for 4 to 5 weeks.

I can't see the logic of putting a little boy through surgery at such a young age unless he truly tore some ligaments and there is obvious nerve damage.
If this is the case, in aspect to the fact that the present issue at hand is presenting concern for long term side affects, then so be it!

BUT!! it has now been 8 months since I broke my right pinky finger and despite enduring the process of a "reduction", the finger is aligned, but I am not able to "expand" the finger in full capacity like I am able to on my left hand.
I also am not able to use my whole right hand the same way I am able to with my left hand.
Thank god I am left handed, or else I would be screwed!

It seems, when you get in the presence of an Orthopedic surgeon, they LOVE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO GO UNDER THE KNIFE!
Their first inclination and postulation is to state that you need surgery to properly align the "limb in question."

You've got to get that this is how doctors get paid. Surgery is part of "their lifestyle." They think they can trump you emotionally.

The public doesn't even REALIZE that DOCTORS GET PAID TO DO REFERRALS, AS THEY ALSO GET PAID TO COUNSEL A PATIENT REGARDING THE NEED FOR MEDICATION!

Your little boy is your little boy.  He more than likely has teeth still growing in (..??) His body is still going to grow. Once his finger is put back into alignment, the bone will "re-fuse" itself. The bones chemistry will reconnect itself, .. and life will go on!

I would try and keep the situation as simple as possible for both you and your son, for not only the time that will be invested physically and emotionally, but the cost as well.

In my opinion, Surgery warrants no promises. I had back surgery back in 2004, and I am now having horrible repercussions 7 years later.
Although I NEEDED surgery for the problem at hand,(a blown disc) the surgeon did more than I was told that would be done.
I found out 6 months later, from my primary care doc, that the surgeon had done what's called a framenectomy.(A whole was drilled through my spine to alleviate nerve pressure.
For the past two years now, I have not been able to lift my left leg, and I have to go in for constant chiropractic adjustments, as my pelvic bone structure twists, which is causing my spine to rotate, which causes posture problems, along with physical pain, which in part causes over exertion to my body.

Any time a limb is put into even temporary confinement, the rest of the body WILL COMPENSATE for the pain and the extra effort that it takes to do anything.    

Little boys are resilient, so try to opt for a reduction or what ever it takes to realign the finger before you agree to surgery.

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Avatar universal
No one can tell you what to do , trust your heart, as you were doing until now.  My L hand is permanently more to the thumbside, after the dr that realign the hand pushed it in anger off again their I insisted on a fastner for the loose end of the crepebandage that had to held the loose backslap in place, while I had to make my way back home with  small child, using busses, trains and taxis...... The Niagara masage unit, used in adjustomatic beds, exercices, and relentless use of the hand has brought it to the stage where it isn't normal funstioning but at least painless, and I can do most things to a degree.  the medical professionals along the way discreetly refused to offer advice.....  Good luck and keep faith.
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Avatar universal
when I was 12, I broke my left pinky back in 1975.  It was almost the worse pain I have ever felt.  My mom didn't make a big deal out of it back then...and placed a soft splint on it.  It grew completely crooked and weird looking.  I am 48 now :)  My sweet little boy who is 6 (I know...I am an old mama) :)  He just broke the same L pinky last week...they want to do surgery!  Isn't that over the top? I  am just venting :)  
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Avatar universal
I fracture under the nail in my pinky finger at the er they put me a splint and told me to go to an orthpedic
so I can get a cast and know I don't know what to do can I get some advice
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992527 tn?1299204815
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992527 tn?1299204815
what position is your pinky in right now? Where was your fracture location? Is your DIP joint able to bend?

I'm very worried about you being in a cast for 6 weeks. Please read the thread I referenced two posts early.

Early range of motion is critical for pinky fractures. I was splinted after a closed reduction for 5 weeks and lost complete use of my pinky, and needed 2 surgeries to try and correct the problem. Based on my experience, and extensive research In most cases, YOU CANNOT KEEP A PINKY IMMOBILIZED FOR 6 WEEKS AND HOPE TO NOT HAVE SCAR TISSUE. Especially if DIP is also immobilized.

Please read that thread before its too late for you, and see a hand surgeon, not an orthopedic for another opinion. Orthopedics generally know nothing about the hand. As someone who has lost all use of his pinky, I can tell you I wish I had received this advice earlier.
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Avatar universal
Per breaking my right pinky finger last Saturday.  
Here is my experience, .. and yet "too be" wisdom! (haha) Upon falling while walking a neighbors dog, I took an unexpected tumble for which I went from left arm to right arm, sending my hand sailing.  When I got up, the pinky finger was bent in towards the other finger next to it.

I soaked my hand in cold water and ice, to reduce the swelling,.. and then "Buddy wrapped" my two fingers until I got to the urgent care office.

Upon x-ray, the doc said "Yup!,..it's brokeI", sending me home in a small silver splint and two pieces of tape wrapped around my two fingers, with no true explanation concerning the broken finger, other than to follow up with an orthopedic hand specialist.

I went to see the specialist on Wednesday, to be informed that i had an "abnormal" break.  Upon a second x-ray, I was told that I would either have to do a "Finger reduction" or have hand surgery.
  Upon first consultation, I was left with three different stories as to what would be done to my hand, to include that a reduction was basically "re-breaking" the finger into place. (I could not bear the thought of having my finger RE-BROKEN!!)
  Also, I was not comfortable withe fact that the doctor and tech wanted to numb my hand, re-break the finger, take an x-ray to see if I needed surgery and put a cast on my hand all in a period of 45 minutes before I had to be at a committed appointment!
  As it  was, I was alone with nobody to drive me home!  Would you drive home alone with your hand completely numb and in a complete cast? .. I think not!  It was enough having hit my pinky numerous times before I had the temporary splint!

  This morning, I returned to the Orthopedic specialist to be told that a "Reduction" is basically a procedure where the pinky finger is bent down almost half way down to the hand so the bone can become realigned.

  I was injected three times with a mixture of Lidocaine, and then my two fingers were put into position, and then a cast was put on, and another x-ray was taken.
  Unfortunately, the doctor was not satisfied with the first cast, so the tech had to saw it off, and reposition the fingers, and then another cast was put on, and then another x-ray was done to see if the positioning for alignment was right.
  I was told though, that after the three to four week period, ..that if the finger was still not in the right position, ..I would have to go through hand surgery to correct the alignment for proper healing and not encounter lifelong pain.

For what it is worth, .. I was told I would be without use of my hand for six weeks after either procedure.
  If there is still time for you to do the "Reduction" now without surgery,..do it,..as you will be in less pain!

  The cast is a pain in the butt, and cumbersome, as I am enduring "What is" without pain medication! .. but so far, ..I am just hopeful that I will not need hand surgery.
  The more time you put the procedure off, it will be more painful, and time constraining upon your personal life.  
  Just make sure you GET ALL THE FACTS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE TO YOUR HAND BEFORE ANYONE TOUCHES IT!

  I am glad that I waited, upon putting my appointment on Wednesday off, .. as I ended up having a firm conversation with the Manager of the orthopedic division, about what happened to me.  He was mortified, if not embarrassed about what happened, as he had not been told about what happened in the "Cast room".  The manager could barely look me in the face, yet he was gracious and escorted me to the doctor that he had personally assigned to me today, handing me his card, .. requesting that I contact him, upon following up with the outcome of my procedure.

  RECOMMENDATION:  DON'T EVER GO INTO AN ORTHOPEDIC DEPARTMENT OF A HOSPITAL IN THE AFTERNOON!
  TO ME, THE EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE BEING IN A MEAT MARKET!
MORE TO THE POINT OF.. "WE STAB EM, .. AND WE SLAB EM!"

  ALSO, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT IN THE MIX OF HAVING A STUDENT AND A RESIDENT DOCTOR SEEING YOU IN A HUMUNGOUS CAST ROOM, WITH A BUNCH OF NUMB TECHS FLOATING ABOUT.
  YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE QUALITY CARE THIS WAY,.. AND YOU DON'T DESERVE ALL THE NOISE AND STRESS WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY IN PAIN AND UNDER DURESS!  

Having a broken finger is not the end of the world, as there are so many things that could be worse,..  for which other bodily organs have "surrendered" to life and larger bones have bitten the dust in some way, .. through our recreation or the unexpected .. But!!!

  You are very right,.. in that you do do alot with that pinky finger! ..
As it is, I am sitting here hen pecking with one hand!
  I thank God that I broke the finger on my right hand and not my left hand, .. as I am left handed!  

  Take good care of yourself, .. as you don't deserve to live with any sort of pain!
Helpful - 0
992527 tn?1299204815
For those of you with pinky fractures, be sure and also read this thread:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Orthopedics/Broken-Pinky-Finger----Post-Surgery-Stiffness/show/510761

For those of you considering prolonged splinting as a proper means to 'fix' a pinky, please read the thread above, and draw your own conclusions. VERY IMPORTANT INFO on that other thread - and I'd hate to see what happened to me happen to others----
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
GO TO TWO DOCTORS. I broke my pinky 2 yrs ago and just straightened it out. Then I went to see a hand specialist and he said the cure was worse then the fix. I wish I got a second opionion as it hurts all the time as I hit the keyboard keys. It broke / dislocated near the end joint. I'm now considering a second opinion and even if they have to break it to fix it I might be in less pain. I'm thinking about the rest of my life and having to learn how to type without a pinky is hard. We use those pink's for a lot of stuff!
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Avatar universal
What is a pinky doesn't heal???  I broke mine playing beachball in a pool end of July - orthopedic specialist says it's "healed" now and sent me to therapy, but I am (1 month 1 week later) still in excrutiating pain.  The orthopedic specialist has already dismissed me so now it's in the hands of the therapist.  I do not seem to be making any progress and fear it's going to be painful and stiff forever.  Any suggestions?
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Avatar universal
Just broke my right pinky the other night during an assult (me being assult broke while defending myself) The doc said my finger must have bent right back (half ways up on 2nd bend) I now have a splint with my finger & ring finer taped together pointing outwards not straight! I have to keep this like that for 2 weeks then return for another xray, if it is not set then i will have to have a pin inserted! I work in Security in nightclubs i have seen my work mates who have had broken finger who did NOT keep the splint on now their fingers do not bend! Anyone who has a broken finger KEEP THE SPLINT ON!
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Avatar universal
I broke my pinky and now they say it's a cyst on it. What should I do?
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Avatar universal
I broke my pinkie years ago. Taping the pinkie to the ring finger is a joke. Total bull crap. The pinkie is shorter and the two fingers simply do not bend along the same axes. Taping among the index or middle or ring fingers on the other hand makes sense, but the pinkie is a horse of a different color.

You should put in a cast and take 8 weeks off. If you do not want to do that and you just want to keep using it, get cortisone shots in the pinkie to silence the pain for a couple of months or so until it heals. Use it lightly during that time.
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1308443 tn?1302693321
Last fall I  wrecked my bike. I fell off the ramp into the road after I went inside and got all the bleeding to stop I notice a sharp pain in my pinky finger. My mom blew it off and told me I'd be fine. It was curved and wouldn't straighten. When I went to the doctor for my well child check up I mentioned it. Ha took x rays and told me it wasn't broken. He said to go home an sqeeze a tennis ball. After 2 months of that with no results I stopped. My pinky is still curved and hurts. When I write twxt type or play ball it makes it worse. What should I do? The google searches told me to break it again and get it taken care of but I want to know if there is any other way to fix it. Please help.
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