Anyone know things about broken fingers?

[BigBoysDontCry]

Adult DS broke his finger 4 weeks ago. They said to unsplint it tomorrow and start gentle use but it is still very painful and he's unable to bend it. They said that because of where the break is he might not get full mobility back but they didn't say that it would still be painful to move it at this point.

I am going to call the fracture clinic (DS is autistic and doesn't do phones/speaking to people) but if this is normal then I don't want to waste their time.

Picture of the break attached if this helps.

It's very normal for it to be painful to move and stiff, yes. I would take advice from doctors, but often they offer hand therapy (physio exercises) if needed. I've broken a few fingers and yes, every time I thought I shouldn't be moving them when I took the splint off. It was really uncomfortable. Actually, much of the loss of range of motion and discomfort can be related to them being immobile, so they do want you to be moving them as soon as you can. I still don't have 100% range of motion back in one hand because I waited too long to take off the splint. Obviously, take doctors' guidance and yes, I would give them a call to discuss, but I think it's very normal for it to be uncomfortable and difficult to move at first, yes.

Try putting the hand in warm water to move it, this often helps. Doing the washing up is ideal!

Thank you. It's hard to get information out of him as he tends to either play things down or get overly anxious about them. As far as I can establish, if the pain was 10 when he first did it, it's now about 7.

He works part time night shift shelf stacking (that's where he broke it) but I have to do all the liaison with work for him. He's been off, signed off until tomorrow, but was expecting to return this weekend and I'm speaking to them tonight about what lighter duties he could do. But now I'm wondering if he is going to be able to do very much at all? He doesn't get sick pay anyway so it's not about that.

I'll just be glad when he can wash his own (very long) hair!

Unfortunately very normal and the only way to lessen the pain / stiffness is to gradually move the injured part. I'm 18 months on from a (severe) broken arm and my wrist / hand is still sore and painful when I first wake up (from being immobilised not from the actual injury) but is definitely so much better. I had a bit of physio but the basic advice was to just keep using it as normal and it will improve. I was really annoyed at first because I genuinely couldn't see it ever improving but 18 months on and it's hugely improved.
I hope all goes well with his recovery

This is very normal for a few days out of a splint for broken bones once healed. The more he bends and uses it the easier it will become

Thanks folks, glad to hear it's pretty normal then. I've never broken anything so don't have a clue.

I'll explain to his boss that it's still painful and see what they are able to do for him workwise. It's difficult as he also can't really do customer contact either. He has a very good degree in computer science but that doesn't really help in tesco shop.

They are very good with him and whilst he doesn't enjoy it, it's important for him to keep working at something if he can.

Try gently massaging the finger, then rest the hand on the table an use the other hand to gently move the finger around a bit.

hold a tennis ball and manipulate it round in the hand.

it will hurt/ache as the tendons and ligaments etc haven’t been moved for a while. It’s normal.

ive broken a finger and broken a thumbs and used therapy balls to get my grip strength back to normal.

Thdanlk you for the tips. I'm sure we have some stress ball type things in the house which might fit the bill.