question about fractured pinky

[paininchest]

fractured my pinky the other day when i fell on ice. i have xrays but can't tell where the fracture is. They refferred me to orthopedic and put splint on it. Just wondered if Er always just splints and do they always refer you to an orthopedic?

[paininchest]

Thanks again for the response. I am continuing with therapy - though it is my own at home therapy - only so much you can do to exercise a finger.

[Dr Vinod]

Hi,

Thanks for following up with us. It is our pleasure to know about you and advice you and we confirm to you that with increase in age the bone healing take sufficient time.

Stiffness will be relieved by proper Physiotherapy so we would advise you to continue therapy.

Take care!

[paininchest]

Just thought I'd post a follow up - Glad they sent me to ortho. It turned out it was a very small fracture but it was right near the joint - so he treated it very cautiously taking several xrays throughout the healing process. I guess it ended up ok - though its amazing how long it takes to get back to normal. it is stilll quite swollen or deformed and painful to bend all the way - I try and do exercises with it whenever I think of it, several times a day - hoping it will someday feel more normal again.
Glad it wasn't worse though

[abhijeet v ghosh]

hello dear paininchest,
For a fracture pinky, splinting is a best option, unless it's displaced.
Splinting give rest, relieves the pressure,stress and relaxes the muscles,bones. So no harm in splinting after initial episode.
And people in ER are not specialist. SO if they need special opinion, they should refer the cases to the concern department as missing a disease is a bad practice.

regards
abhijeet