How To Tell If Your Hand Is Broken Or Just Sprained

Broken hand vs. sprained hand: How to tell the difference

Ever experienced a sudden jolt to your hand after a fall or an unexpected impact?

That immediate pang of pain, swelling, and difficulty moving can be alarming. Is it just a minor sprain, or is something more serious at play – like a broken hand?

Knowing the difference between a broken hand vs. sprained hand is crucial for proper treatment and a swift recovery.

In Dubai, when you’re looking for expert guidance on hand injuries, Dr. Ehab Bassim Aldlyami stands out as a leading hand specialist. With over two decades of experience, he’s the best orthopedic hand doctor and specialist providing exceptional care for hand injuries and hand-related pain conditions in the UAE.

How to tell if your hand is broken or just sprained - The immediate aftermath

When you’ve injured your hand, the first few moments can be confusing. Both a broken hand and a sprained hand can cause pain and discomfort. However, there are key indicators that can help you understand the severity of your injury.

The human hand is an intricate structure of 27 bones, 27 joints, and more than 100 ligaments and tendons, making it susceptible to various injuries.

Is it a sprain? Understanding a sprained hand

A sprain occurs when the ligaments – the tough, fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones – are stretched or torn. Think of it as an overextension.

A sprain in the hand can range from mild to severe, and while painful, it generally doesn’t involve a bone fracture.

Common signs of a sprained hand:

Pain: Often a dull ache, but can be sharp with movement.
Swelling: Localized around the injured joint or area.
Tenderness: The area might be sensitive to touch.
Bruising: May develop over time, but not always immediately or extensively.
Limited movement: You might experience some difficulty moving the affected fingers or wrist, but usually, some range of motion is still possible.
Popping sensation: Sometimes, a “pop” or “tear” might be felt at the time of injury, particularly with more severe sprains.

How to tell if your hand is broken or just sprained?

A broken hand, or a hand fracture, means one or more of the bones in your hand have cracked or completely separated. This is a more serious injury and requires immediate medical attention to ensure proper healing and prevent long-term complications.

Key indicators of a broken hand:

Severe pain: Typically more intense and persistent than a sprain, often worsening with movement or pressure.
Deformity: The most tell-tale sign. The hand or finger might appear bent, crooked, or out of place.
Significant swelling: Often immediate and pronounced.
Intense bruising: Can appear quickly and spread widely.
Inability to move: You might find it impossible or extremely painful to move the affected part of your hand.
Numbness or tingling: Nerve damage can occur with a fracture, leading to these sensations.
Audible snap: You might have heard a distinct “snap” or “crack” at the moment of injury.
Visible bone (in severe cases): Though rare, in an open fracture, bone might be visible through the skin.

The scaphoid bone, located in the wrist, is one of the most commonly fractured bones in the hand, often due to falls onto an outstretched hand.

Broken hand vs. sprained hand: A side-by-side comparison

To help you quickly differentiate, here’s a summary of the common distinctions between a broken hand vs. sprained hand:

Feature	Sprained Hand	Broken Hand
Pain	Dull ache, sharp with movement	Severe, persistent, worsens with pressure/movement
Swelling	Localized, develops gradually	Immediate, often pronounced, widespread
Deformity	Typically none	Common, visible crookedness or misalignment
Bruising	May appear, sometimes delayed	Often immediate and extensive
Movement	Some limited movement is possible	Often impossible or extremely painful
Sound at Injury	Sometimes a pop or tear	Often, an audible snap or crack
Numbness/Tingling	Uncommon	Possible

When to seek medical attention: Don't delay!

Regardless of whether you suspect a broken hand or a sprained hand, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical evaluation, especially if:

Severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest and ice
Any obvious deformity or misalignment in your hand
You can’t move your fingers or wrist normally
There’s significant swelling or bruising
You heard a popping or snapping sound at the time of injury
Numbness or tingling

How Dr. Ehab Aldlyami can help you

When facing a hand injury in Dubai, Dr. Ehab Bassim Aldlyami is your go-to expert. As an experienced hand specialist in Dubai, he has dedicated his career to providing the best possible care for a wide range of hand and wrist conditions.

Whether you’re dealing with the uncertainty of a broken hand vs. sprained hand, or suffering from chronic hand pain, Dr. Aldlyami offers comprehensive and compassionate treatment.

Regain full function and comfort in your hands; book an appointment!