![]() Sometimes, the bone needs to be shortened so that your wound can be stitched closed. This procedure is discussed in greater detail in the section below.įor injuries that expose the bone, there may not be enough tissue around the wound to stitch the wound closed. If this is the case, your doctor may take a full-thickness flap of skin (the skin, plus the fat and blood vessels underneath) from a healthy part of your injured hand and use it to cover your wound. Because a skin graft does not have its own blood supply, it may not be sufficient for some larger tissue injuries. Both the wound and the donor site are closed with stitches during the procedure. In this procedure, a piece of skin (skin graft) is taken from the outside of your hand, your forearm, or another area of your body and used to cover the injury. Surgical procedures used to treat larger tissue injuries may include: Sometimes, surgery may be required to ensure healing. In some cases, the wound may be left open to heal gradually on its own. If your fingertip wound is large and open, there may not be enough remaining skin to heal and cover the open area. Complete healing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, although stiffness and hypersensitivity (extreme sensitivity) may remain longer, depending on the severity of the injury.After 2 days, you may start range-of-motion finger exercises to avoid stiffness.Your doctor may recommend that after 1 to 2 days, you soak your finger daily in a solution of warm, soapy water or saline solution with peroxide or betadine.They may recommend that you wear a splint to protect the area while it heals.Your doctor may place a protective dressing over the wound with instructions to change the bandage regularly.If your fingertip wound is small and not deep enough to expose bone, it may heal on its own. (Right) Wounds made along blue lines will probably need some sort of surgery to heal. (Left) Wounds made along the green lines will probably heal on their own. This procedure, called "ebridement, will reduce your risk for infection. Your doctor will then thoroughly clean out the wound, removing dead tissue and contaminants. Your doctor will examine your finger carefully, looking for: They will irrigate, or wash out, your wound with a saline solution to see it more clearly and to reduce the risk of infection. Your doctor may give you a numbing injection (digital block anesthesia) to help reduce the pain in your injured finger. Is your tetanus immunization up-to-date?.Have you ever had hand problems caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or any other medical condition?.Is the injured finger on your dominant hand?.To help plan your treatment, your doctor will ask several questions. Whether you have experienced a previous injury to the affected hand.Whether you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes.Your doctor will talk with you about your medical history and the circumstances of your injury. Go immediately to the emergency room, preferably at a hospital that has hand specialists immediately available.īring the amputated part with you to the emergency room and guard it carefully until the doctor is able to evaluate you.Do not allow the amputated part to be in direct contact with ice. ![]() Place the bag on ice in a sealed container or another watertight bag.Place it in a sealed watertight bag, making sure there are no tears in the bag that could let water in.Gently clean the amputated part with water or, if possible, with sterile saline solution.If your fingertip is completely cut off, do the following: Immobilize the affected hand and wrist with a short splint.Elevate the injured hand so that it is higher than your heart to minimize swelling.Clean the injury with clean water or saline solution, if possible, and cover it with a lightly compressive sterile dressing to minimize bleeding and protect the injured finger.If you have injured your finger, do the following as you are preparing to go to the emergency room or see your doctor: To ensure the best outcome, it is important to have your doctor examine your finger or thumb soon after an injury. Without prompt and proper treatment, a fingertip injury can cause problems with hand function and may even result in permanent deformity or disability. Your fingertips are rich with nerves and are extremely sensitive. The tips of longer fingers tend to be injured more often because they are last to escape from harm's way. Treatment varies depending on the severity and location of the injury, and the health of the patient.Īn injury or amputation can damage any part of the fingertip, including: Complete - the entire fingertip is removed.Partial - some structures remain attached.Fingertip injuries typically occur in accidents at home, at work, or during play.
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