You might think a broken finger is a minor injury, but without proper treatment it can cause major problems. The bones in a normal hand line up precisely, letting you perform many specialized functions like grasping a pen or manipulating small objects in your palm. When you fracture a finger bone, it can put your whole hand out of alignment. Without treatment, your broken finger might stay stiff and painful.

Causes
Fractures of the finger most often occur as an injury.

Symptoms
Symptoms of a fracture in your finger include swelling, tenderness, deformity, and an inability to move it completely.  If you think you broke your finger, seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment
Your doctor will put your broken bone back into place, usually without surgery. Sometimes you may need pins, screws or wire to hold it together, especially if you have a complicated injury. You'll get a splint or cast to hold your finger straight and protect it from further injury while it heals. Sometimes your doctor may splint the fingers next to the fractured one for support. Your doctor will tell you how long to wear the splint - usually about three weeks. Sometimes you may need more X-rays as you heal so your doctor can check your progress.

Begin using your hand again as soon as your doctor determines it is okay to move your finger. Doing simple rehabilitation exercises each day will help reduce the finger's stiffness and swelling. You may be required to see a physical therapist to assist you in these exercises.