Orthopaedic Surgery - Discharge advice following a little finger metacarpal neck fracture

• You have a minor break near the knuckle. The break will heal, and the pain will usually settle in three weeks
• It may take six weeks or longer before your hand returns to normal
• We may apply a wool and crepe bandage. You may remove this at any time. We may also offer you finger strapping. This may help the pain, but some patients dislike this - you may remove this at any time if you feel this is not helping
• Remove the strapping after 10 days
• Use your hand as normally as possible within the limits of the pain. This will not cause further damage, but failure to do so may lead to ongoing stiffness
• There is a risk that heavy lifting may be sore for 6 or 8 weeks
• Hand grip is generally very good after this type of injury
• As the bone heals a lump will form at the break site and the knuckle will not be as prominent as normal. This will not cause any problems with the use of your hand
• If your little finger does not tuck in neatly next to the ring finger when making a fist, there is a risk that it may be malrotated, if so, please contact the Fracture Clinic

If the pain gets worse or lasts more than 3 weeks or you are concerned about your hand, please contact the Fracture Clinic on 0161 206 4892 8.00 am – 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
 
Please leave a message out of hours, and a member of staff will return your call as soon as possible.