eMedicine Specialties > Emergency Medicine > Trauma & Orthopedics
Fingertip Injuries
Updated: Dec 10, 2008
Introduction
Background
The fingertip is the part of the terminal phalanx that is distal to the insertion of extensor and flexor tendons. Fingertip injuries are extremely common. A functioning fingertip has sensation without pain, stable padding, and an acceptable appearance.
Pathophysiology
Fingertip injuries occur frequently because hands are used to explore surroundings. Common types of injuries include blunt or crush injuries to the fingernail creating subungual hematomas, nail root avulsions, and fractures of the terminal phalanx. Sharp or shearing injuries from knives and glass result in lacerations and avulsion types of soft tissue defects. Burns and frostbite commonly involve fingertips.
Significant nailbed injuries can occur from nail root avulsions.
Frequency
United States
About 10% of all accidents encountered in the ED involve the hand. Hand injuries represent 11-14% of on-the-job injuries and 6% of compensation paid injuries. They account for approximately two thirds of hand injuries in children. Damage to the nail bed is reported to occur in 15-24% of fingertip injuries.
Clinical
History
Ascertain the following information when gathering patient history:
- Mechanism of injury
- Hand dominance
- Occupation and hobbies
- Length of time since injury
- Tetanus immunization status
Physical
Evaluate the fingertip injury to determine the following:
- Crush versus sharp injuries
- Nail or nail bed involvement
- Bone involvement
- Viability of tip
- Presence of foreign body
More on Fingertip Injuries |
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| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Fingertip Injuries |
| Treatment & Medication: Fingertip Injuries |
| Follow-up: Fingertip Injuries |
| Multimedia: Fingertip Injuries |
| References |
| Next Page » |
References
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Further Reading
Keywords
fingertip injury, fingertip injuries, finger tip injury, blunt injuries, crush injuries, subungual hematomas, nail root avulsions, fractures of the terminal phalanx, sharp injuries, shearing injuries, fingertip lacerations, avulsed fingertip, fingertip burns, fingertip frostbite, terminal phalanx, hand injuries, damage to the nailbed, fingertip amputations, nailbed laceration
