Hand & Upper Limb Surgery
Hand & Finger Fracture Fixation
Stabilising broken bones in the hand, fingers, and thumb
Overview
Fractures of the hand and fingers range from a simple, stable crack that heals in a splint to a comminuted or displaced break that needs surgical fixation with wires, screws, or plates to hold the bone in the correct position while it heals.
Because so many small joints and tendons pass close to the bones of the hand, fracture fixation here is planned not just to get the bone to heal, but to preserve the fine movement the hand depends on — which is why hand fractures are often treated differently from fractures of larger, less mechanically complex bones.
Candidacy
Is Hand & Finger Fracture Fixation Right for You?
- A displaced or unstable fracture of a finger, thumb, or metacarpal bone
- A fracture involving a joint surface, where alignment affects future movement
- An open fracture, or one accompanied by tendon, nerve, or soft-tissue injury
- A fracture that has failed to stay in position with splinting alone
What to Expect
Your Journey
- 01
Assessment
X-rays confirm the fracture pattern and whether it's stable enough for splinting or needs surgical fixation to hold its position.
- 02
Fixation
Performed under regional or general anaesthesia, using the smallest hardware appropriate to the fracture — K-wires, screws, or plates — chosen to allow the earliest safe movement.
- 03
Rehabilitation
Hand therapy is introduced as soon as the fixation allows, since prolonged immobility is one of the main causes of lasting stiffness after hand fractures.
Recovery
Recovery & Aftercare
Most hand and finger fractures achieve solid bony union within 4-6 weeks, though stiffness can take longer to fully resolve than the bone itself takes to heal. Hardware such as K-wires is often removed in clinic once healing is confirmed, while low-profile plates and screws are frequently left in place long-term.
Case Gallery
Documented Cases
Graphic Medical Content
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need surgery for every hand fracture?
No — many stable fractures heal well with splinting alone. Surgery is generally reserved for fractures that are displaced, unstable, involve a joint surface, or fail to hold their position non-surgically.
How soon after surgery can I move my finger?
This depends on the fixation method and fracture stability — your surgeon and hand therapist will give you a specific movement protocol, since starting too early or too late can both affect the result.
Will the fracture hardware need to be removed later?
Some hardware, like temporary K-wires, is routinely removed once healing is confirmed; other fixation, such as low-profile plates, is often left in place unless it causes symptoms.
More on Hand & Finger Fracture Fixation
Have Questions About Hand & Finger Fracture Fixation?
Every case is different. Get in touch to discuss your situation, or keep reading for more on candidacy, recovery, and what to expect.
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