Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drugs & Supplements Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Smashed fingers

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Smashed fingers
Smashed fingers

Alternative Names    Return to top

Finger(s) - smashed; Crushed digits

Definition    Return to top

This injury involves direct trauma to one or more fingers.

Considerations    Return to top

If an injury to a finger occurs at the tip and does not involve a joint, the help of a doctor may not be needed. Even if the bone is broken, a splint may not necessarily be recommended by the doctor.

Causes    Return to top

Finger(s) can be smashed by a hammer blow, a car door, a desk drawer, a baseball, or some other force.

Symptoms    Return to top

First Aid    Return to top

  1. Heat the end of a bent paper clip (or a similar size metal wire) over an open flame until it is red hot. Use a pair of pliers to hold the paper clip during sterilization.
  2. While it is still very hot, touch the tip of it to the injured fingernail. This is not a painful procedure for most people.
  3. The heat of the clip will burn a small hole in the fingernail. It is not necessary to press hard on the fingernail to burn a hole. (Another technique is to drill a small hole in the nail by twirling a scalpel blade, sharp knife, or needle.)
  4. As the paper clip is removed, blood should start releasing through the small hole. If not, retry the procedure until blood comes out and pressure is relieved.
  5. The pain will be relieved as the pressure is released. Soak the injured finger in warm water with a few drops of disinfectant for 20 minutes, 4 times a day, for 2 days.
  6. This procedure can be repeated, if necessary, if the hole closes over and the pressure rebuilds.
  7. The finger should be washed carefully before and after the procedure. Antibiotics may be administered if the procedure was not performed under sterile conditions.

DO NOT    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call for immediate medical attention if the finger is deformed, or if the injury is not limited to the tip of the finger.

Prevention    Return to top

Teach safety to young children, and use caution when shutting doors to make sure fingers are not in danger.

Update Date: 5/31/2006

Updated by: Kevin B. Freedman, MD, MSCE, Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Specialists, Bryn Mawr, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.