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With how much we use our hands, it is not surprising that hand injuries are extremely common. In fact, hand injuries make up close to 30% of the total cases treated in emergency departments. When you suffer a hand injury, it can be difficult to know just how severe it is. Maybe recovery will just take some ice and a few days of rest. On the other hand, some hand injuries require immediate medical attention or there is a risk of permanent damage. Let’s take a look at the classic signs that mean your hand injury is severe and that you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
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Persistent or Severe Pain
Almost all hand injuries are going to be accompanied by some level of pain. It is best to treat minor pain with rest, ice, and NSAIDs. When it comes to nonserious injuries, pain should subside relatively quickly with these conservative treatments. Pain that does not go away within a couple of days or worsens instead of improving is a sure sign that your injury is serious. If this describes your situation, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Failure to do so can result in the permanent loss of some or all of your hand’s functionality.
Significant Swelling or Bruising
Swelling and bruising can develop after an injury due to inflammation and damage to small blood vessels. Substantial swelling or extensive bruising may accompany fractures, dislocations, and other serious injuries. Swelling is considered substantial when it interferes with movement, while bruising is considered substantial when it is unusually large, deep, or widespread. It should be noted that the absence of swelling or bruising does not rule out the possibility of a fracture or other serious hand injury. Only a medical professional can truly determine that.
Difficulty Moving Your Fingers or Hand
The movements your hand can make are only possible because of a number of different parts working in perfect unison. Injuries to bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments can interfere with hand movement. This can include difficulty bending or straightening a finger, reduced grip strength, or an inability to use the hand normally. Often, these symptoms are extremely difficult to ignore, which is good because restricted movement after an injury may indicate a fracture, dislocation, or tendon injury, and you should seek medical attention. Under no circumstances should you force movement to test whether the hand is injured.
Visible Deformity or an Unusual Appearance
After an injury, a finger or part of the hand may appear crooked or misaligned. This is called a deformity. Most often this is a sign of a fracture or dislocation. Never attempt to straighten or otherwise “fix” a visible deformity. It is almost guaranteed that you will do more harm than good. Instead, seek professional hand fracture treatment. This is the only guaranteed way to to receive an accurate diagnosis and the proper treatment, which will help you to make a full recovery.
Numbness or Tingling
One of the most serious symptoms after a hand injury is numbness or tingling in the fingers or hands. This is a sign that trauma and swelling has affected the nerves or circulatory system in the hand and fingers. If these types of issues are not treated promptly, it can lead to serious consequences, such as paralysis of the hand or even amputation. For this reason, under no circumstances should you ignore numbness or tingling.
What to Do After a Potentially Serious Hand Injury
If you suspect that you have sustained a serious hand injury, you should:
- Stop activities that cause pain and avoid using the injured hand unnecessarily.
- Keep the hand supported and avoid forceful movement.
- Use a cold pack wrapped in a towel to help reduce swelling when appropriate, provided it does not delay necessary medical care.
Most importantly, you need to see a medical professional. They are the only ones that can reliably diagnose your injury and form an effective treatment plan.
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