Where in Dubai
Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, treats hand and finger fractures at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp; say it is a new hand injury. Take off rings before the finger swells. If you were hurt at work, bring any incident report and your insurance card. Bring any X-rays you already have.
What is hand and finger fracture?
The hand has small bones in each finger and thumb, called phalanges, and five long bones in the palm, called metacarpals. Any of them can break in a fall, a crush, a twist, a sports knock or a punch. A common one is a break in the palm bone behind the little finger, often called a boxer's fracture. A broken finger may be swollen, bruised, stiff or bent, and it can be hard to tell from a sprain without an X-ray. Many hand fractures heal well in a splint, a cast or strapped to the next finger. Some breaks heal out of line and leave a crooked or stiff finger.
Common signs
- Pain, swelling or bruising in a finger, thumb or the hand after an injury.
- A finger that looks bent, short or out of shape.
- A finger that crosses over its neighbour when you make a fist.
- A knuckle that looks sunken after a punch or a fall.
- A hand or finger fracture that has healed crooked, stiff or weak.
How Dr. Subhash approaches it
Dr. Subhash lists the treatment of hand fractures, finger fractures, and wrist and hand fractures that have healed out of line among the hand problems he treats. Hand trauma is also on his CV. He checks each finger for alignment, rotation, feeling and tendon function, and reviews the X-rays. He then explains whether a splint, a cast or strapping is enough, or whether the bone needs to be put back in line.
What to expect
First aid
Keep the hand raised, take off any rings, and use ice wrapped in a cloth for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
Examination
He asks how the injury happened and checks the shape, movement, feeling and blood supply of each finger.
X-rays
X-rays show where the bone is broken and whether the pieces are in line.
Treatment plan
Many breaks are held in a splint, a cast or buddy strapping. A break that is out of line may need to be set, and some need an operation.
Check X-rays
A second X-ray, often one to two weeks later, checks that the bone is staying in place as it heals.
Getting moving
When he advises, gentle hand exercises start to stop the fingers from stiffening.
Getting better
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- A broken finger or thumb usually heals in about six to eight weeks, and sometimes longer.
- A cast or splint is often worn for three to six weeks, depending on the break.
- Full grip strength can take three to four months to come back.
- Moving the finger once it has healed helps prevent lasting stiffness.
Risks to know about
- Stiffness in the fingers, especially after a long time in a cast or splint.
- A bone that moves while healing can leave a crooked finger and weaker grip.
When to book a visit
Book a visit soon after any hand or finger injury that is swollen, bruised or hard to move. Book a visit if the pain and swelling are not easing after a few days, or the finger is still stiff or painful once the cast is off. Go to emergency care straight away if bone can be seen through a cut or is poking out of the skin, or the finger is cold, pale or numb.
Where to book
Dr. Subhash sees patients at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, in north-east Dubai. The clinic is at Shop No. 4, next to the Grand Excelsior Hotel.
Grand Infinity Medical Center
Shop No. 4, next to Grand Excelsior Hotel, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DirectionsCall +971 58 599 7460WhatsApp
Questions patients ask
I broke a finger months ago and it never felt right. Can I still be seen?
Yes. He can examine a finger or hand fracture that has healed crooked or stiff. Bring the old X-rays and any notes from the first treatment, so he can see how the bone was set.
How do I know if my finger is broken or sprained?
It can be hard to tell. Both cause pain, swelling and bruising. An X-ray is usually needed to show whether the bone is broken.
Will I need an operation for a broken finger?
Most finger and hand fractures heal without one. An operation is considered when the bone is out of line and cannot be held in place, when the break goes into a joint, or when it has broken through the skin.
My finger healed crooked. Can anything be done?
A fracture that has healed out of line can sometimes be corrected. It depends on how much it affects your grip and movement. An orthopaedic surgeon can examine the finger and review the X-rays with you.
Book an appointment
His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.