Broken Pinky Finger - Post Surgery Stiffness

[imq]

I had surgery done on my broken pinky finger on January 1, 2008, which I broke while playing football, and I was in the cast for 6 weeks after that. After the cast came out, the doctor told me to go to therapy for 6 weeks/ 2 times a week to get rid of the stiffness in the finger. Now it is May 5th, 2008 and I have 2 more weeks of therapy left but still the finger is a little stiff. I can bend it but not fully and in terms of going back up it doesn't move at all.

The therapist has told me that doctor's could do another surgery to loosen up the tendons but I will wait to ask a doctor until my therapy is done.

The questions that I had is:

1) What are the chances that I can still gain full momentum in my pinky finger?
2) If I am not able to get the stiffness out, can anyone tell about the surgery the therapist was talking about?

Greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks

[djmm]

Well it's nearly a couple of months later for me.  My pinkie isn't numb anymore, but it's still very very stiff.  My repeated concerns were ignored by my doctor who said "oh it's fine, it's fine" until I went back for the followup and he tells me, "yeah, that's not doing so good" and tells me another surgery is likely to clear out the scar tissue and other blockages causing the stiffness.  

So then I tell my doctor, "But isn't it the first surgery that caused all the scarring and stiffness in the first place?". "Yes" he says.  "And the solution then is to do another surgery to increase the scarring?". "Yes" he says but you'll have to start full range of movement with it right away.  That should be lots of fun with my finger cut end to end.

My pinkie is stuck in the middle range of movement with a few degrees of movement on either side.  That's it.  Otherwise, still feels very swollen all the time and basically immovable.

My recovery from this has been about as bad as it can be.  I hope for the best with the rest of you all.

[djmm]

It's a new year and the physical therapy has been discontinued by the doctor as he says it won't do any further good.  My only option is another surgery and I have so far opted to not go forward with it.  Lesson learned: Don't break your PIP joint!  Broken joint medical treatment is still in it's infancy in 2009 and a broken PIP joint means that joint stays that way for the rest of your life according to the doc and all I've spoken too.  The bone is healed, but big deal - I bump it at least once a day and am reminded of it daily.  

[snappity]

I have been looking all over the internet for info on broken fingers. So far this link seems to be the closest to my situation. I broke three fingers on my right hand about 5 weeks ago. I have three pins in my little finger, three pins in my ring finger, my middle finger is broken also but didn't require pins. They are all broken diagonoly in the first bone right above the knuckle. I'm in a cast to my finger tips down past my wrist. I have the pins removed in a week. I am scared that it is going to take me forever to get movement back in my hand after. If a little finger injury takes so long to recover...am I looking at double or triple the time??eeekkee. I play roller derby and am dying to get back at the sport. If I can't make a fist (not for hitting..but for landing so fingers don't get run over). I won't be able to safely go back.......

[six7damon]

Hey guys, Im just givin input as we all seem to have a similar problem.  Mine is a broken pinky finger (spiral fracture just above bottom knuckle)  I have severe stiffness at knuckle below tip of my finger.  Hand specialist states that people (no matter age) generally NEVER gain full range of motion in broken fingers and also that surgery almost ALWAYS has the chance of causing further and even PERMANENT stiffness due to residual scarring.  I can make a fist but the tip of my finger sticks out, I will try therapy for the initial 30 days but after that if no progress, I think Ill opt for the surgery.  Luckily theres never a need to make a fist playing basketball, however, it is annoying when Im playing Xbox Live....lol  Havent been to OT yet, but so far I try exercising and stretching it (with little progress except just after soaking it in EPSOM salted warm water)

[six7damon]

Read my post.....the chances of you regaining FULL range of motion is minimal at best, I would suggest you try some sessions with an occupational therapist prior to opting for surgery (which is what Im doing).  KEEP IN MIND....surgery could simply make it worse than it already is.

As for the surgery, there is nothing they can really do for the joints, but if the problem is muscular, they can ease some of the tension in the tendons....****but this will DEFINITELY result in scar tissue forming and could POSSIBLY either cause your finger to be permanently straight or bent!!!

[dave914]

This past October i broke my left ring finger right behind the PIP joint.  I had surgery and 3 pins installed to "line up the break".  well im no doctor but when i saw the post op X-rays, i was not impressed.  anyway, here i am 4 months later and i am totally unable to get movement out of my PIP joint.  i have been through PT at least 3 times a week since the surgery, but have gained little to no movement.  like so many other posts, my therapists says another surgery will help...im not so sure... Has anyone had this "second surgery" to clear up the scar tissue that has built up? does it work? or should i just get used to it like i have begun to?  Thanks