Houston Hand Doctor - Houston Fingertip Injuries

COMMON CAUSES AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

For Houston Hand doctor, Nicholas Fiore, fingertip injuries are fairly common. They include crushing injuries, lacerations and even amputation. Fingertip injuries can affect any or all components of the finger, including the soft tissue, the fingernail and nail bed, as well as bone. Because our fingertips are sensitive, containing many nerves, great care must be taken with fingertip injuries to preserve function and sensitivity, as well as physical appearance if possible. A properly functioning fingertip should be free of pain, and have the ability to feel, pinch and grip.

Proper treatment of a fingertip injury depends on numerous factors, such as the extent of injury, the position and angle of any cuts involved, whether bone is exposed and other factors.

Houston Hand Doctor - Treatment options for fingertip injuries include:

• Bandaging: in some instances, the wound is minor enough for it to close on its own.
  
  
• Shortening of bone: so skin can amply cover wound.
  
  
• Skin graft : used when too much skin is missing to properly cover the wound.
  
  
• Reconstructive flap surgery: covers the wound with skin taken from a healthy portion of the injured hand.
  
  
• Replantation: where amputated fingertip is reattached.