Health Library

Smashed fingers

Finger(s) - smashed; Crushed digits

Smashed fingers is an injury involving trauma to one or more fingers.

Images

I Would Like to Learn About:

Considerations

If an injury to a finger occurs at the tip and does not involve the joint or nail bed, you may not need the help of a health care provider. If only the tip of your finger bone is broken, your provider may not recommend a splint.

Causes

Fingers can be smashed by a hammer blow, car door, desk drawer, baseball, or some other force.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Difficulty moving the tip of the finger
• Discoloration or bruising of the finger or fingernail
• Finger pain
• Loss of fingernail
• Swelling

First Aid

Apply an ice pack to decrease swelling. Be sure to wrap the pack in a clean cloth first to prevent cold injury to the skin.

Over-the-counter pain medicines may help relieve discomfort.

If pain becomes severe, with blood under the fingernail, call your provider. Your provider may guide you in taking measures to relieve the pressure and blood and prevent the fingernail from falling off.

Do Not

• Do not splint a smashed finger without first consulting your provider.
• Do not drain blood from under the fingernail unless your provider instructs you to do so.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Seek medical attention right away for any of the following:

• The finger is bent and you can't straighten it.
• The skin is cut open and bone is exposed.
• The injury involves the palm or any of the joints, such as a finger or the wrist.

Prevention

Teach safety to young children. Use caution when shutting doors to make sure fingers are not in danger.

References

Kamal RN, Gire JD. Tendon injuries in the hand. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 73.

Stearns DA, Peak DA. Hand. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 43.

Review Date: 6/13/2021  

Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2021 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.