What first aid steps should you take if you suspect a broken finger, hand, or wrist?
Most minor finger, hand, and wrist injuries will heal on their own. Home treatment is usually all that's needed. But if you think that you might have a more severe injury, use first aid until you can be seen by a doctor.
- If a bone is sticking out of the skin, don't try to push it back into the skin. Cover the area with a clean bandage.
- Control bleeding with direct pressure to the wound.
- Remove all rings and bracelets. It may be hard to remove the jewelry after swelling occurs. And that can cause other serious problems, such as a compressed nerve or restricted blood flow.
- Free a trapped finger or hand from an object, such as a pipe, toy, or jar.
- Splint the injured area without trying to straighten the injured limb. Loosen the wrap around the splint if there are signs that the wrap is too tight. Signs include numbness, tingling, increased pain, swelling, and cool skin below the wrap. A problem called compartment syndrome can occur.