What should you know about smashed hand swelling?

A crush can injure skin, muscles, tendons, joints, nerves, and blood vessels even when the skin is only lightly marked. Swelling may make the fingers stiff and can hide tenderness around a small fracture. A distal radius fracture affects the forearm bone near the wrist and can occur with a fall or impact, while pain and swelling may also come from the hand itself.

Swelling alone does not identify its cause. A clinician may check finger alignment, sensation, skin colour, circulation, and movement, and may request imaging. Recurrent swelling without a new injury has different possible causes, including inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Remove rings and tight jewellery early, before swelling increases. Rest the hand, keep it raised, and use a cold pack wrapped in cloth for short periods. Avoid pressing directly on injured skin or placing ice against it. Do not force a bent finger straight or test strength repeatedly.

A temporary splint can reduce movement, but it should not be tight. Arrange medical assessment if pain is marked, the hand looks misshapen, a finger cannot move normally, or symptoms do not begin settling. Use pain relief only as directed and mention other medicines or health conditions to the clinician.

Go to urgent care for a hand that is pale, blue, cold, or rapidly becoming more swollen; new numbness or weakness; severe pain that is escalating; an open wound over a suspected fracture; or a finger pointing in an unusual direction. A ring that cannot be removed because of swelling also needs prompt help.

Could there be a fracture, tendon injury, or nerve injury? Do I need an X-ray or another scan? How should I support the hand, move the fingers, and monitor swelling while it heals?