Broken Hand Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Generally, any hand injury-except for the most minor one-should be seen by a doctor. Simple first aid, however, can help prevent further injury.

• Control any bleeding by placing a clean cloth or gauze pad over the wound.
  
  
• As soon as the injury has occurred, apply ice to the injured area to decrease pain and reduce swelling.
  
  
• Remove any jewelry immediately. The hand will swell dramatically, and jewelry will be almost impossible to remove after the swelling has started.
  
  
• Contact your doctor, who will often refer you to an emergency department for diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
• If the hand is obviously deformed, try to support the injured hand by placing it on a pillow and carrying the pillow with you to the hospital or doctor's office.
  
  
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed on the label for pain.