Finger frustration...

[Charlotte K.]

I agree with the posts indicating that you need to see a HAND specialist. It made all the difference for me. That being said, my finger took a while to get back to normal. I seem to remember the swelling being much less than what you are showing by 8 weeks out. That being said, the outside finger could be banged in daily life and reinjured. Let us know how it goes.

[coopersmom]

Sounds like you are getting the run around with your MD and in the meantime, your finger isn't healing properly. I'd see if you can get into a hand clinic, and if they need a referral, get your doctor to write one for you.

My finger took forever to heal - it's not a regular fracture that heals within 8 - 10 weeks. I kept going for regular Xrays too, but mine was about 4 months before I started to think it was healing. I guess some of us heal at different times, too.

It is very painful, but you need a lot more than 4 sessions of PT! You really need too see a specialist in treating these fractures.

Did you get exercises for your hand to do with the PT? They hurt but they do help in the long run - just don't overdo it! Heal gently!!

I agree I need more than 4 sessions with PT, but she has discharged me because of lack of progression and the fact that I am having pain in the joint....this is also confusing to me as she initially told me the PT would be painful, but then backed off because the exercises she was doing in therapy were painful. She is a Physiotherapist, not a hand specialist, so she may be erring on the side of caution. I truly feel I need to see a Hand Therapist and am waiting for a call from my Family MD today in hopes that she will finally agree to sending me to a Plastic Surgeon who specializes in hand injuries so that they can refer me to a hand Therapist. (To get into a Hand Therapist I need to first see an MD who has privileges at the hospitals in Ottawa)

I haven't had x-rays done since 10 days post injury, so who knows how the joint is healing.

I have one exercise to do, yes very painful, pain right across the front of the joint. I put my hand on the table, palm up, put some resistance against the tip of the injured finger and slowly flex it. Does that sound familiar to you Polly Pipkin??

Thanks for all the responses, hope to have an update a little later today once I speak with my Doctor.

[coopersmom]

I agree with the posts indicating that you need to see a HAND specialist. It made all the difference for me. That being said, my finger took a while to get back to normal. I seem to remember the swelling being much less than what you are showing by 8 weeks out. That being said, the outside finger could be banged in daily life and reinjured. Let us know how it goes.

So true Charlotte, I have banged it so many times, forgetting that it sticks out further than the other fingers...uuugghh!!

[Polly Pipkin]

I have one exercise to do, yes very painful, pain right across the front of the joint. I put my hand on the table, palm up, put some resistance against the tip of the injured finger and slowly flex it. Does that sound familiar to you Polly Pipkin??

Is this exercise trying to straighten your finger as you flex? My exercises were opposite - curling your top joint into a fist (which doesn't work all the way as the finger won't go in like the others) and gently pressing on the fingernail to bend the finger into itself. The I'd straighten it out. It still hurts if I push too hard. Warm cloths really help!

Do you have a picture of the exercise you do?

Hope you have more promising news at the doctor's today - and at least some regular X-rays!

[coopersmom]

Is this exercise trying to straighten your finger as you flex? My exercises were opposite - curling your top joint into a fist (which doesn't work all the way as the finger won't go in like the others) and gently pressing on the fingernail to bend the finger into itself. The I'd straighten it out. It still hurts if I push too hard. Warm cloths really help!

Do you have a picture of the exercise you do?

Hope you have more promising news at the doctor's today - and at least some regular X-rays!

The exercise I am doing is very similar to what you were doing, but with added resistance to the tip of the finger while I flex into a fist. I have to keep my hand on a flat surface as I tend to move the joint at the base of my finger in attempts to compensate for the lack of movement in the PIP joint. I will try your version, pushing instead of resisting, makes more sense to me.

I will try the warm cloths before and see if that eases the pain some, thanks for the suggestion.

No return call from my Family MD today...I will try calling her tomorrow ....

[Gibbysmom]

Strange that your family doc didn't send you to a ortho hand doc. Hope you hear back soon and get some help. Years ago I fell off my horse and broke my arm and finger. They wanted me to see a regular ortho doc for the arm and another for my hand. I thought that was a bit much. Who has time for that many appts?? Good luck, don't feel bad about bugging your doctor he or she dropped the ball in the first place.

[coopersmom]

Finally a referral to a hand specialist...just waiting to hear from them for an appointment date!!

[Charlotte K.]

May you be even more healed soon!

[SnappinSami]

First of all, ouch! Secondly, just reading your post, I got seriously ticked at your MD and how she and her office have treated you throughout this ordeal. Based just on that, I'd be looking for another doctor. As for your hand, though, as others have said, I'd go to an orthopedist or hand specialist as soon as you could to get it looked at.

Hope you can start to heal and feel better soon!

[Maxx&Emma]

Ouch, it is still very swollen and sounds very painful. You shouldn't feel like a pain to your Dr, you are paying him, he needs to listen and address your feelings and pain. Sending good thoughts your way.