Boxer's fracture sustained 3 years ago still causing problems

[andr3w]

Over 3 years ago I sustained a boxer's fracture and at the time I just thought I had bruised my hand and didn't bother to get it x-rayed or seen to. In hindsight this was a bit stupid but we live and we learn. Unfortunately I am still getting stiffness, discomfort and pain around the knuckle area of my little finger. My little finger also points in towards the rest of my hand rather than straight which is a little annoying. I have a couple of questions:

a) What specifically is causing the pain stiffness and what is the best way to manage this?
b) Would drastic action such as just amputating the little finger resolve the joint pain? My thinking is if it is no longer actually a joint the pain might go away? It really is that irritating and I could live without 1 little finger quite easily.

Any advice much appreciated.

thanks
Andrew

[dwild239]

I had a boxer fracture about 5 or 6 years ago on right hand. I broke the knuckle leading to the pink finger and shifted it. Had surgery  placed 2 pins in it.  I have had slight discomfort. The problem is I have had numbness and most recent is it is cold and throbes or tingles. The pinky finger stay colder then rest of my hand. Like it is resting against ice. Slight discoloration (pale).

[Phill614]

Good morning Andrew,  LOL  keep the pinky. do some research of orthopedic hand doctors in your area and don't just go to the closest one. if you got insurance find the best, no joke find the best.  i've had 4 hand surgeries from a doctor if he was good only 1 would've done the job.  its my guess you'll be sent for x-rays and an MRI.  as for the pain a doc will prescribe an anti inflamatory is my guess because that was done for me.  IB profine 800's worked well for me.  good luck Andrew  ps don't be in a hurry to fix the pain, you've had it for awhile.  get it done right by a good hand doctor.

[CassCore]

First of all I understand how easy it is to pass off an injury as something less serious than it is...I recently graduated with a degree in athletic training and the athletes I work with try to lessen their injuries all the time!! Anywho...the stiffness is more than likely caused by the way the bone re-calcified after the fracture. You probably have a buildup of bone where it shouldn't be and it's causing the stiffness. Plus you probably never did any organized form of rehab for the injury so that probably has something to do with it as well. No doctor is going to amputate something on their first attempt to reduce pain! They will try pain meds or maybe some type of surgery to shave off where the bone has over calcified and rebreak it and set it and rehab it...but i doubt they will ever amputate unless you ask them to specifically and no other option has worked. Try to go to a hand specialist. I'm sure you will get some answers there. Hope this helps!