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Fractures

I am a firm believer in a trial of conservative (non-operative) care prior to proceeding with a surgical procedure. Although simple fractures can be handled with a splint or cast, more complicated breaks may require surgical intervention.

When F.P., M.D., a cardiologist, fractured his finger, he sought out Dr. Cohen. He says "After my surgery I healed so rapidly and so perfectly I could not believe it." Read 100's of testimonials.

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Hand fractures are the most common fractures of the skeleton. A broken finger may not seem like a big deal, but the bones of the hand must work precisely to perform their functions. Dr. Cohen has the experience and skill to evaluate and properly manage this type of injury. Click on each category below to review the information. Feel free to contact us to be seen by Dr. Cohen. We are easily accessible to patients off the 101 freeway in Westlake Village.

What is a Fracture?

The hand is an intricate structure of muscles, cartilage, tendons, nerves, and, of course, bones. Twenty-seven of them to be exact.

Because of the hand's complexity, as well as the huge role it plays in our daily lives, it is particularly susceptible to injury. So it is not surprising that a hand fracture is one of the most common reasons for a trip to the emergency room.

The most frequently seen fractures include:

Scaphoid fractures. These are fractures of a bone in the wrist, frequently seen after the patient has fallen and attempted to stop the fall with an outstretched hand.
Metacarpal fractures. The metacarpals are the long bones in the palm of the hand that extend from the wrist up to the fingers. Fractures to the metacarpal bone that leads to the little finger are extremely common.
Phalanx fractures. The phalanges are the small bones in the fingers.
Wrist fractures. The most commonly broken bone of the wrist is the radius. Many people think that a fracture is different from a break, but they are the same. When a bone in the wrist is broken, there is pain, swelling, and decreased use of the hand and wrist. Often the wrist appears crooked and deformed.
Elbow fractures. Elbow fractures may result from falling onto an outstretched arm, a direct impact to the elbow, or a twisting injury. Sprains, strains, or dislocations may occur at the same time as a fracture.

Some fractures are simple, in which case the bone stays aligned. Others may involve displacement or shifting of the bone fragments. All types of fractures should be seen by an orthopedic hand specialist.

Symptoms

Fractures generally occur as the result of an injury, such as slamming your hand in a door, breaking a fall with your hand, or a direct blow to the hand. Pain and swelling are common symptoms, as well as difficulty with movement. There may be bruising and deformity as well (a crooked finger, for instance.) However, these findings are not always present and it is not always possible to tell where the break is, or how bad the fracture is, just by looking at it. If you suspect that you may have a fracture, it is important to see Dr. Cohen as soon as possible.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination and x-rays. Once Dr. Cohen has determined the nature of the fracture, he will be able to decide on a course of action. Simple fractures can usually be handled with a splint or cast. If there is a complicated break, it may be necessary to surgically insert screws or wires to hold the bones together while they heal. Dr. Cohen has extensive experience with all types of fractures, and prides himself on returning patients to maximal function.

Patient Testimonials

Read and listen (audio quotes), to what just a few of Dr. Cohen’s patients have said:

(Note: be sure to click on the "stop" button before starting a new audio comment)

This young man is recovering nicely from a bad metacarpal fracture.

I fractured my Left Ring Finger February 2008. I practice cardiology at the same hospital Dr. Cohen works in. I know little about hands so I consulted with orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists (they watch everyone’s surgeries and they know the best doctors) to find out whom I should have treat my hand. The answer was always Dr. Glenn Cohen. I met him and knew immediately why all the other doctors referred to him. Not only is he a skilled physician and surgeon but he also comforted me with his wonderful bedside manner. After my surgery I healed so rapidly and so perfectly I could not believe it. I am so thankful for his many gifts.

- F.P., M.D., Cardiologist
Thousand Oaks, CA

Robert from Canoga Park was very nervous about having surgery when he broke his metacarpal. He had visited Dr. Cohen's office previously and felt he was very thorough, so he made an appointment to have the problem corrected. Dr. Cohen performed surgery on his hand and the healing process went very quickly. He highly recommends Dr. Cohen to anyone needing his services. Listen as he tells his story:

Lauren from Thousand Oaks fell and broke her hand. At first she thought nothing was wrong, but by the next morning her hand was swollen and numb. She visited Dr. Cohen and he was concerned because the compression on her nerves was causing the numbness. Dr. Cohen recommended that she elevate and ice her hand and scheduled surgery for the next day. Dr. Cohen asked to see her at the office the morning of the surgery to re-evaluate. The next morning, prior to surgery, she visited the office and Dr. Cohen opted to wait a few more days to see if the hand would continue improving with ice and physical therapy. Lauren feels she is very grateful that she never had to have surgery and is thankful to Dr. Cohen for his patience and help. She highly recommends his office and the physical therapist. Listen to her story below:

(view 100's of related testimonials here)

More Resources

Want to learn more about fractures of the hand? Here are some resources: