Finger fractures, or phalanx fractures, happen quite frequently, because the digits are involved in nearly everything you do. A finger fracture can happen because of a fall, direct contact in sports, a slammed door or a power tool accident. If you have symptoms that include: deformity, swelling, tenderness, a shortened finger or inability to move your finger, you should come into the Idaho Hand Institute for a true diagnosis and treatment plan. A finger break is nothing to shrug off; the damage of one finger bone can mess with the alignment and function of all the other 26 bones in your hand. You’ve got eight in your wrist, five in your palm, and 14 bones in your fingers. They all work together to help you grasp a pen, throw a ball and even open doors. Without the proper treatment and healing, a phalanx fracture can leave you with pain and frustration for years. If you do seek treatment, be prepared to tell your doctor what happened and where it occurred. The more information your doctor has will help determine the course of action. You’ll likely have an x-ray, which will show the amount of damage. If your finger is broken, your doctor may need to put it back into place, often this is possible without surgery. You’ll likely get a splint or cast to protect your injured finger and keep it immobilized for optimal healing. Sometimes your doctor will splint the injured finger and the ones next to it for additional support. Chances are if yours is a typical fracture, you’ll wear your splint for 4-6 weeks. Once your finger is healed, your doctor will discuss your hand use and rehabilitation. In the case of a simple fracture, once you get the splint off, simple exercises will help reduce any swelling or stiffness that occurs. For more information on finger fractures, or phalanx fractures, please contact the Idaho Hand Institute at (208) 235-HAND (4263) or at any of our three locations: Pocatello, Blackfoot, and Soda Springs.