I done smashed the tip of my finger, and now theres a sliver of bone loose on the tip

[leroy jenkins]

Was torque testing a pair of skis with px15s, using a posidriver to lever open the heelpeice, when it slipped and whacked my pinky finger pretty good, smashing it between the handle of the screwdriver and the plastic shell of the boot. You have no idea the force generated by this. Try using a px heelpeice as a catapult and you can launch a posidriver 30 feet easy.

So the swelling went down, and the only pain, besides the nail, is the very tip of my finger, I tried pushing it a bit, and I can feel something is loose in there.

Sow how does this heal? Will it fuse back onto the bone, or will the body dissolve the sliver of bone? I tried googling but I am not even sure what this injury is called exactly and googling for broken fingers wasnt really helpful.

I can't ski right now because of another injury, so guitar has been the only thing keeping me sane, and now I can't play. Well, I can sorta play, but I probably shouldnt I'm sure.

Anyone that can shed any light whatsoever on this would be appreciated.

[ill-advised strategy]

dood! dooooood! man... ++++++++

I have to think if you can keep it (the fragment) immobilized it will probably form matrix and re-build a kind of weird knobby spot. I'm sure the more educated dentists will know more than my dumb ass.

Until then:

No flourishing the pinky for you...


No shocker for you...


Last but not least, there's already a thread for this JONG!!!

srsly though, sorry about your digit broseph. ++++

[Hott Butt Mud]

Is this a daughter of politican STOKE thread?

[Orthoski]

Sorry to bring this thread back to Leroy's finger, but crushing injuries like you're describing can cause tuft fractures, which are fractures of the tip of the bone under your nail. They're often associated with cuts of the skin under the nail (which creates bleeding under the nail) or the pulp of your finger, though you didn't describe this. You can immoblize it for a short period (e.g., 10-14 days) for symptomatic relief but leave the joint free to move (so you don't get stiff). As far as the bone healing, a straight quote from Green's Operative Hand Surgery is "these fractures often fail to unite but are invariably stabilized by a fibrous union", meaning even if they don't heal with regular bone, they'll still become stable with scar. If the fracture is in the shaft of the bone rather than the tip [insert maggot joke here], however, these can be nondisplaced (normal position) or displaced (the bone moved). Displaced ones will frequently have a cut in the area under the nail (the nail matrix), but again, you didn't describe this. Some people will surgically pin these if they're displaced because it's an unstable fracture and can be problematic down the road - when you describe feeling something loose, this is what I'm worried about and would want to rule out before saying "don't worry about it".

Long short of it is that you may consider getting an xray just to sort it out. If you're Googling, look up "distal phalanx fracture" with the distinction between "tuft" and "shaft" fractures. A good quick summary I found is pasted below:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/98322-treatment

Fractures of the distal phalanx
Tuft fractures are treated by caring for the accompanying soft-tissue injury and splinting of the finger to prevent further discomfort or injury. A variety of splinting devices can be used for loose protection. In the closed crush fracture of the distal phalanx, the L -shaped Alumafoam splint placed on the volar aspect to protect the soft tissues is considered the best treatment. Tight circumferential taping around the fingertip should not be used because of an increased risk of circulatory compromise. Splinting is generally maintained for about 2-3 weeks.

Avulsion of the nail plate and injury to the nail bed is often associated with tuft fractures. It is necessary to reduce the nail plate under the eponychium, and if this cannot be performed, the plate can be removed. The distal phalanx may be destabilized to some extent, but as there are no tendons attached to the tuft of the distal phalanx, these injuries rarely displace. If the nail is removed during repair, packing of the eponychial space with petroleum gauze is used to prevent scarring and closure of the space, which could lead to stunted nail growth. Tuft fractures may progress to nonunion but are usually asymptomatic.

Open fractures of the distal phalanx require thorough cleansing, debridement, and inspection for foreign bodies. Orthopedic assistance is not required for uncomplicated closures. Open fractures with extensive soft-tissue damage are frequently associated with chronic pain and disability and may need orthopedic assistance. Open fractures of the distal phalanx require a course of antibiotic treatment.

The shaft of the distal phalanx is very narrow and mostly cortical. Fractures at this location can be problematic. Nonunion can be symptomatic; occasionally, these require internal fixation.

[leroy jenkins]

So far this thread has delivered a good laugh, some women who are pleasant to look at, and a bunch of useful information. Thats pretty good for 3 posts, thanks guys.

So its about two weeks after the incident, there is very little pain, and there has never been any effect on the joint. There is point tenderness on the nail, which has a small bruise, and a lesser amount of point tenderness on the tip of the finger. Like I said though, I can feel something small moving around about a half a mm right on the tip of my finger when I push on it in a direction perpendicular to the finger, but strangely enough, this doesnt seem to hurt at all. I can type normally and actually can sort of play guitar, although that is painful and I've decided to avoid it.

Could these be something other than a tuft fracture? If it is a fracture it certainly sounds like a tuft fracture because it is on the absolute tip of the finger, but could it possibly be scar tissue or something else? I'm not even sure anything is actually moving but there is a sort of popping sensation when i push on it laterally with my other finger.

I googled clam shell splints for distal tuft fractures, can I get by without one if it is a fracture? Typing isnt painful, but should I avoid any contact to the tip of the finger just the same?


I have no health insurance, so trying to get an idea without getting an x ray if I can.

Regardless,thanks though guys.

[leroy jenkins]

Hhaha, I must also inform you guys, in my googling, I just found out there is an injury called a "jersey finger' which results in one finger not being able to bend down like the others. Some might think this is named for a sports jersey being the mechanism of injury but I am choosing to believe it is named because it appeared to be an extremely common injury in people from new jersey, particularly on the middle finger.

[bendtheski]

Being from Jersey myself, I believe it is tha latter. AKA, the Jersey salute.

Stop breaking yourself Leroy!