I think I broke my finger a few weeks ago - is it worth going for an X-ray/treatment or will it heal itself?

[Imps7]

Hello

I fell over while playing tennis about 5 weeks ago. Since then my index finger has been swollen, stiff and slightly red. It's not causing me any particular problems so I'm inclined to just leave it, but could I do more harm than good if I just let it fix itself (if, that is, it is broken)?

Sorry for daft question but I don't want to waste the hospital's/my own time if it will just go away by itself in due course.

Many thanks!

Missed your window to do much about it - you're virtually healed now - but if you need to know for duration of symptoms, then go via your GP for an XRay. It is not an emergency thus not one for A+E.

Perfect - thanks! I'll just leave it to get on with it.

Bruxeur - somewhat ignorantly I had no idea that you could go to your GP for an x-ray! Will remember that in future.

Right now you need to work the hell out of it to get as much range of movement back as you can - finger joints get very stiff if not exercised +++, it will always be a bit swollen but shouldn't give you any pain.

Make fist/straighten finger/make fist/repeat and push it as much as you can. You are unlikely to hurt it at this stage but if you don't give it a good go now then what you have at the mo will be it for life.

Any pain long-term, that is - RoM exercises are going to smart a bit.

Our GP would't do anything re an xray in such a situation. They don't even refer. They tell you to go to a&e - it's classed as an accident, abeit not emergency. We do also have a walk in centre for minor injuries too at the hospital so I'd head there.

However, if ti si a few weeks ago there is probably nothin more they can do. Unless, of course, it is causing you a lot of pain or discomfort,