Will a fractured knuckle heal on its own?

A broken knuckle requires medical treatment. With treatment, most broken knuckles heal well. You should regain full use of your hand.

How long does a fractured knuckle take to heal?

Broken knuckle healing time can take anything from 6 to 8 weeks but getting full strength back in an affected hand can take a lot longer which could be around 3 to 4 months. This can have a negative impact on your day-to-day life and your ability to carry out normal everyday tasks.

How do you tell if your knuckle is broken or fractured?

They can usually use a physical examination combined with imaging to diagnose a broken knuckle. The more severe the symptoms, the more likely it is that the knuckle is broken. If the injury does not dramatically affect the knuckle’s movement or cause much pain, it may just be a bruised knuckle.

How long does an index finger fracture take to heal?

Breaks in the bones of the finger usually heal well in about 3 to 4 weeks. The pain and swelling from a broken finger can last for weeks. But it should steadily improve, starting a few days after you break it.

What happens if you leave a broken knuckle untreated?

Delayed Union. When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

Why is my knuckle turning purple?

A finger typically turns purple when blood is not circulating well to the hand. Blood is bright red when it is moving the proper amount of oxygen through the body. Without an adequate amount of oxygen, blood turns dark and color changes—including a change to a purple tone—follow.

Can you break a knuckle on your finger?

Your knuckles are strong bones in your hand that give your fingers the ability to move. But they’re also capable of being broken or bruised. Bruised knuckles are often caused from blunt trauma to your finger or hand. A hard fall, sports injury, or a fistfight can also cause this injury.

What happens if a broken knuckle goes untreated?

What do doctors do if you have a broken knuckle?

Treatment of broken knuckles or fractured knuckles typically involves realigning the bone by stabilizing it, although the location and extent of the fracture will determine the course of treatment. A common way to do so is to advise the patient to wear a splint or brace until the injury heals.