Finger fractures

[Greta]

Common finger fractures include avulsion fractures and crush fractures of the fingertips.

When a fingertip is crushed, it is tender and swollen, and the nail may be bluish black and raised up.
Sometimes the area becomes more sensitive and remains that way long after the fracture has healed.
Doctors take x-rays from several angles to diagnosis a fingertip fracture.
A fractured fingertip is treated with a protective covering or finger splint and, if needed, drainage of blood under the fingernail and surgery to realign the broken pieces of bone.

(See also Overview of Fractures.)
Avulsion fractures occur when a tendon or ligament pulls off a small piece of bone.
Fingertip fractures (also called tuft fractures) usually result from a crush injury, such as a hammer blow.