Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Pain And Swelling On The Palm Of The Hand And Fingers
Question: Hi
I have hurt my hand/finger. I was playing with a punch bag about 48 hours ago and I hit it and it immediately felt like I'd broken it. it still hurts in my fingers/knuckle and in the palm of my hand. it's also a little swollen around the knuckle. index finger and middle finger, index hurts more.
I am in a foreign country so i cannot really go to a Hospital.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I have hurt my hand/finger. I was playing with a punch bag about 48 hours ago and I hit it and it immediately felt like I'd broken it. it still hurts in my fingers/knuckle and in the palm of my hand. it's also a little swollen around the knuckle. index finger and middle finger, index hurts more.
I am in a foreign country so i cannot really go to a Hospital.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It would be best if you can go in to the ER or an urgent care or a doctor's office where they can do an X-ray.
If that is entirely out of the question, and only if there is no deformity, I recommend immobilizing your hand with a splint. Best if you can buy a hand splint at a pharmacy, but if that is not possible, you'll have to make your own. Here are directions for making your own, although in these directions, they recommend splinting your hand "as you found it" until you can get to a doctor. I would instead recommend splinting your hand in a position of rest, with a gentle inward curve.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000040.htm
The other thing that is important to do, even though it has been 48 hours, is to ice the swollen area and elevate often. Two ways to ice: you can freeze water in a dixie cup and then peel it down partly and gently rub the ice in circular motion over the swollen areas. The other way is to use an ice pack (a bag of frozen peas or other small veggies works well too) and put it on the area for 15 minutes then off 15 minutes, then repeat. Keep a cloth between the pack and your skin.
Ibuprofen can help with inflammation and pain and can be taken 3 times a day, if you tolerate it. Be sure to have food in your stomach so that it doesn't irritate it.
I hope this helps!
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It would be best if you can go in to the ER or an urgent care or a doctor's office where they can do an X-ray.
If that is entirely out of the question, and only if there is no deformity, I recommend immobilizing your hand with a splint. Best if you can buy a hand splint at a pharmacy, but if that is not possible, you'll have to make your own. Here are directions for making your own, although in these directions, they recommend splinting your hand "as you found it" until you can get to a doctor. I would instead recommend splinting your hand in a position of rest, with a gentle inward curve.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000040.htm
The other thing that is important to do, even though it has been 48 hours, is to ice the swollen area and elevate often. Two ways to ice: you can freeze water in a dixie cup and then peel it down partly and gently rub the ice in circular motion over the swollen areas. The other way is to use an ice pack (a bag of frozen peas or other small veggies works well too) and put it on the area for 15 minutes then off 15 minutes, then repeat. Keep a cloth between the pack and your skin.
Ibuprofen can help with inflammation and pain and can be taken 3 times a day, if you tolerate it. Be sure to have food in your stomach so that it doesn't irritate it.
I hope this helps!
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
