can you still move a finger if it is broken?
Discussion
playing football last night, saved a shot but little finger was bent backwards in the process. now its all red accross the knuckle, fairly swollen and throbs if i stretch it. most people are under the impression that its broken but i can still move it, bend it, stretch it etc so what does the knowledgable PH massive think? broken? fractured? pablo being a big girl about nothing?
If it was broken or fractured you'd likely be in rather indescribable pain if you tried to flex it or stretch it. It may well be fractured but having broken (fractured) a couple of toes on numerous occasions (always the same ones) I would say you have likely just bruised it.
The fact that it is swollen across the knuckle would suggest you just dislocated it and possibly damaged the joint a little (funnily enough i shut my finger in a car door on Tuesday and have much the same symptoms)
The fact that it is swollen across the knuckle would suggest you just dislocated it and possibly damaged the joint a little (funnily enough i shut my finger in a car door on Tuesday and have much the same symptoms)
pablo said:
playing football last night, saved a shot but little finger was bent backwards in the process. now its all red accross the knuckle, fairly swollen and throbs if i stretch it. most people are under the impression that its broken but i can still move it, bend it, stretch it etc so what does the knowledgable PH massive think? broken? fractured? pablo being a big girl about nothing?
You've probably done what I've done (although I did this ountain biking) - MechSympathy who is in the trade said that I had most likely screwed the ligament, and the fact that months down the line it is still no better is due to some loose fragments floating about the joint. While you should always get it checked, I'd say if you can move it you are fine, give it a push (i.e. as if you were trying to push the finger back into the hand) and then a yank (back out) - if this puts you on the floor in a complete shock of pain then you've broken it.
Otherwise stop being a jessie, and get used to being able to show it off in the pub!
HTH Neil
edited to add: this is completely non medical advice - I'm an IT guy and really haven't a clue, all I know is when I broke my finger before, the nursey did the whole push/yank thing, and I had to peel myself off the ceiling - I'm sure they enjoy it!
Oh, and MechSympathy - go and tell somebody who cares!
It'll be painful but not impossible to move. It all depends on the break.
I broke one of my fingers playing rugby one morning & had to play a gig in the afternoon (it was my fretting hand). Flipping sore but ok. Conversely bent a couple of fingers back a year later & although no break there was lots of swelling & much more pain than the break. You should be fine, just use the other hand
I broke one of my fingers playing rugby one morning & had to play a gig in the afternoon (it was my fretting hand). Flipping sore but ok. Conversely bent a couple of fingers back a year later & although no break there was lots of swelling & much more pain than the break. You should be fine, just use the other hand

I fractured 2 fingers playing american football some years back, I could still move them but they were very sore (got the next morning off school though by spending it in casualty.....). If you go to A&E they'll most likely just x-ray them and tape 'em together.
I also did the same 2 fingers a few years later whilst changing an engine and gear box - my Dad lowered it while I'd still got my hand underneath it
- now that hurt
So err yeah - you can still move 'em if fractured etc (in my case anyway....)
Chris
I also did the same 2 fingers a few years later whilst changing an engine and gear box - my Dad lowered it while I'd still got my hand underneath it
- now that hurt
So err yeah - you can still move 'em if fractured etc (in my case anyway....)
Chris
In answer to your question, yes. Also, there is much swelling and changing of colour along with the throbbing pain. Treatment is generally just a case of strapping it to a neighbouring finger to stop it being moved.
Get it Xrayed just to be sure.
Please note I am not medically qualified in any way other than being an avid watcher of Casualty and ER.
pp
Get it Xrayed just to be sure.
Please note I am not medically qualified in any way other than being an avid watcher of Casualty and ER.
pp
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