Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of shock occur:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• Severe bleeding does not slow during the first 15 minutes of steady, direct pressure.
• Any part of your hand is partially or completely amputated. Begin first aid measures.
• Pieces of bone are visible in a wound, or a bone is sticking through the skin. Note: Do not try to push the bone back into the skin. Cover the area with a clean bandage.
• Injection of a substance under high pressure into the hand, such as paint from a high-pressure paint sprayer or a nail from a powered nail gun
• Severe pain with pale, white, blue, or cold fingers or hand

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Scrapes.
• Puncture wound or injection of a foreign body under high pressure: Go to the topic Puncture Wounds.
• A finger, hand, or wrist problem not related to an injury: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Problems, Non-injury.
• Injury from cold exposure: Go to the topic Cold Temperature Exposure.
• A burn to a finger, hand, or wrist: Go to the topic Burns.
• A bite to a finger, hand, or wrist: Go to the topic Animal and Human Bites.
• A fingernail problem or blood under a nail: Go to the topic Nail Problems and Injuries.

Yes	Is your finger, hand, or wrist twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?
Yes	Do you have pain or tenderness in your finger, hand, or wrist?
Yes	Are your fingers or hands pale, white, blue, or cold?
Yes	Do you have numbness or tingling in an injured finger, hand, or wrist?
Yes	Are you unable to move your fingers, hand, or wrist normally?
Yes	Is your finger, hand, or wrist swollen after an injury?
Yes	Did you feel or hear a snap, pop, or grating in your finger, hand, or wrist?
Yes	Are you unable to free a trapped finger or hand from an object such as a toy, bottle, or jar?
Yes	Do you have signs of infection in your finger, hand, or wrist?
Yes	Is an object, such as a nail, embedded in your finger or hand?
Yes	Do you think your injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes	Do you have bruising of your finger, hand, or wrist?
Yes	Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA	Last Updated: February 14, 2007
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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