dumb question about broken finger

shanwalk2

I am 99% sure DH broke his finger about two weeks ago.  He swore up and down that it was just jammed.  whatever.

So now, he tells me he want to get an xray because he still can't bend it all the way, it's still very swollen, etc.

 

Do I make a Dr appt?  I don't want to go to the ER because clearly, it's not an emergency - but having a dr. look at it seems silly too.  He just wants it x-rayed and casted, if necessary.

We don't even have GPs.  Do I call just anyone?

...told you it was a dumb question... 

ali-1411

We would probably go to an urgent care.  Our insurance covers it, we only pay the $35 specialist copay.

PrincessBrideSarah

An urgent care with an xray machine. You can call to make sure they have a machine.

I would not go to an ER. It will cost a ton more, and this is clearly not an emergency since it happened so long ago. 

If the finger is broken, the urgent care can refer him to an orthopedic specialist. 

AdamsKitten

I broke my finger last summer at Schlitterbahn (boo!) and the Dr. said there was nothing they could do for it, gave me a splint and sent me on my way.  I wish I had saved my co-pay!  hehe

Has he had it in a finger splint? 

 It literally took about 3 months before the swelling was completely gone and I could use it again, but the splint helped alot.  I started with a full metal splint and progressed to a "frog" splint.  You can get both at walgreens. 

 I'd skip the Dr unless he feels he needs to go - but that's just me

Nessia

Go to a GP. You might not even need an xray. When ex hurt his finger he went to a GP, they had him pick up a brace and bandages and had him wear it for a few weeks. A GP is also cheaper than an ER visit.

christym0606

I'd probably go to Urgent Care as well.  ARC on Far West does same day appointments.

GuavaGal

PrincessBrideSarah:

An urgent care with an xray machine. You can call to make sure they have a machine.

I would not go to an ER. It will cost a ton more, and this is clearly not an emergency since it happened so long ago. 

If the finger is broken, the urgent care can refer him to an orthopedic specialist. 

This, exactly.  My fella jammed his pinky finger on a Saturday morning.  Upon my insistence--because it was very swollen, and he couldn't bend it--he made a same-day appointment and went to this urgent care.  That place was awesome!  He got an x-ray and saw Dr. Vik, who told him his finger wasn't broken, but he'd chipped the knuckle bone.  He had to keep his pinky taped to his ring finger for 2 weeks, and have a follow up with an orthopedic specialist if he still couldn't bend his pinky at the end of that time.

Taytee

Fingers don't get casted. Just a split. Urgent care is perfect. They can write for pain meds and give a doctors note as needed too.

jgiles

Well considering we are going through this right now. My DH broke his pinky on the 15th. It was really swollen. Last week he went to his GP (last Thursday) and they took an xray. If it's a clean break then you can splint it. DH's is smashed into 4 pieces. They had him see a orthopedic surgeon last Friday (the next day). Unfortunately he then had to see a hand surgeon (saw him yesterday). It all depends on where it's broken. DH's was broken and part of the bone is chipped and close to the joint. He is now in a cast and will repeat xrays in 2 weeks. Personally after all this I would go see a GP and make sure what kind of break it is and if medical treatment is necessary. DH will also have to have physical therapy due to not being able to bend his finger. I would rather make sure nothing is necassary then have damage to the finger and not be able to bend it normally. Hope this helps and wasn't too long.

jgiles

Fingers don't get casted. Just a split. Urgent care is perfect. They can write for pain meds and give a doctors note as needed too.

 

They can be casted. My Dh's was yesterday but had to cast the whole hand. His was casted due to his type of break.

Taytee

Sorry, I should have said "usually" don't get casted. In general though, people tend to seek care faster for something that's pretty much shattered vs a break.