Finger, Hand, And Wrist Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Scrapes.
• Puncture wound or injection of a foreign body under high pressure: Go to the topic Puncture Wounds.
• A finger, hand, or wrist problem not related to an injury: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Problems, Noninjury.
• Injury from cold exposure: Go to the topic Cold Temperature Exposure.
• A burn to a finger, hand, or wrist: Go to the topic Burns.
• A bite to a finger, hand, or wrist: Go to the topic Animal and Human Bites.
• A fingernail problem or blood under a nail: Go to the topic Nail Problems and Injuries.

Yes

Is your finger, hand, or wrist twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?

Yes

Do you have pain or tenderness in your finger, hand, or wrist?

Yes

Are your fingers or hands pale, white, blue, or cold?

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in an injured finger, hand, or wrist?

Yes

Are you unable to move your fingers, hand, or wrist normally?

Yes

Is your finger, hand, or wrist swollen after an injury?

Yes

Did you feel or hear a snap, pop, or grating in your finger, hand, or wrist?

Yes

Are you unable to free a trapped finger or hand from an object such as a toy, bottle, or jar?

Yes

Do you have signs of infection in your finger, hand, or wrist?

Yes

Is an object, such as a nail, embedded in your finger or hand?

Yes

Do you think the injury may have been caused by abuse?

Yes

Do you have bruising of your finger, hand, or wrist?

Yes

Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	November 13, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer