How a Boutonnière Deformity Is Treated
Have you recently suffered a finger injury? If your middle joint juts upward and the tip of your finger juts upward as well, it could be a boutonnière deformity. Read on to learn how it can be treated.
4 Treatment Options for Hand Injuries
Hand injuries can happen to anyone. A few of the most common causes of hand injuries are getting hurt in sports, making repeated motions at work, and developing chronic conditions, such as arthritis.
When you suffer a hand injury, it can quickly make even the simplest tasks challenging. For top-quality care and the fastest possible recovery, trust your hands to the Upper Extremity Specialists of Synergy Orthopedic Specialists Medical Group.
Kristopher Downing, MD, Daniel Brereton, DO, and our team of orthopedic specialists are highly trained in treating injuries affecting the delicate structure of the hand. We offer a full range of hand injury treatments, and we’re here to help relieve pain and restore function. Here are some treatment options if you injure your hand.
The RICE method
The RICE method stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This four-step treatment plan is effective for mild to moderate hand injuries, such as sprains, strains, and tendonitis.
If you suffer an acute hand injury, it’s important to rest your hand for 24-48 hours. Apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes at a time every few hours to reduce inflammation. Compression, either with a hand brace or bandage, can also help stop swelling. And while you’re resting your hand, elevate it on a pillow to help minimize swelling.
While we often prescribe rest, ice, compression, and elevation for mild to moderate hand injuries, we recommend that you visit the doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can be a crucial element of treatment for all types of hand injuries, from mild to severe. At Upper Extremity Specialists, we’ll inform you if you could benefit from physical therapy if you injure your hand.
If you have a mild injury, our team may give you exercises to do at home to rebuild strength as your hand heals. For more severe injuries, we might recommend a series of sessions with a physical therapist as part of your rehabilitation. For chronic conditions, such as arthritis, regular physical therapy may help minimize pain and stiffness.
Participating in physical therapy is one of the best ways to restore function after a hand injury. Targeted exercises can build strength, improve mobility, and help reduce your risk of injury in the future.
Anti-inflammatory injections
We’re proud to bring the latest in nonoperative orthopedic technology to our patients. Whenever possible, we recommend conservative treatments, such as the RICE method and physical therapy, but when these aren’t enough, anti-inflammatory injections could be an option for you.
Anti-inflammatory injections generally contain steroid and anesthetic medication. The steroids target the inflammation and the anesthetic targets the pain.
Hand surgery
If you’ve suffered a severe injury, hand surgery may be the best option to preserve the functioning of your hand. We might also recommend surgery if you have a chronic hand injury that hasn’t improved with more conservative treatments.
We may recommend hand surgery if you’ve suffered significant trauma, such as a severe fracture, or if you have tendon injuries, such as trigger finger or mallet finger.
If you have a hand injury, we can help you get well again. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Upper Extremity Specialists today.
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