Fractured 5th finger

[herb1053]

I recently fractured my 5th finger on my dominant (right) hand, the last digit closest to the base of the knuckle. went to the doctor and was splinted for the weekend and referred to ortho. Upon seeing ortho i was put in a full cast to the elbow with the 4th and 5th fingers splinted bent down and taped together. My question is; Is this really necessary to have a full cast for a fractured pinky? I am in the military and not having the best experience with military doctors in the past i am pretty skeptical. I am very active and frequent gym goer and am going crazy not being able to do anything. please give some advice!

[RayMam57]

Metatarsals are in the feet and metacarpals are in the hand.... I'm just saying.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

My sincere suggestion to you is to follow your orthopedician and if you really do not want it then take a second opinion and do not take a decision yourself.

If your metatarsals are fine and there are no other complications in your hand other than phalanges then you can go ahead with a splint rather than a full cast. (You have to confirm this)

Take care!

[herb1053]

I saw the same orthopedician today to try to have her remove the cast. She insisted on not removing it and being that i am in the military i could get in a lot of trouble if i did so myself. She did not give any specific reason as to why she would not remove it however she did bump the removal date back 1 week. So now 2 weeks vice 3. This poses my next question; Wouldnt a splint for 4-6 weeks be more benificial than a cast for 2? At this point i am forced to just wait it out. Haveing had many other very serious injuries this still seems very extravagant to me for a pinky.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

If you have fracture in your finger (phalanges) and no other complications then buddy tapping or splinting or surgically putting a wire is sufficient.

If your metatarsals are involved your orthopedician will go further and in your case it is difficult to comment without seeing the X-rays.

My suggestion is to take a second opinion whenever you are in doubt. Get your scans examined by another orthopedician.

Take care!