Hand Fracture Surgery in san antonio
Expert care for broken hands and fingers from board-certified hand surgeons, from the first X-ray through hand therapy and recovery.
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100+
Years Collective Experience
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3
Board-Certified Surgeons
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Outpatient
Most Patients Go Home Same Day
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On-Site
Certified Hand Therapy
Understanding Your Injury
What Is a Hand Fracture?
Your hand contains 27 bones, including the five metacarpals in the palm and the small phalanges that make up each finger. A hand fracture is a break in any of these bones. Most happen during a fall onto an outstretched hand, a sports injury, a crush injury at work, or a punch.
Many hand fractures heal well with a splint or cast. Others shift out of place, rotate the finger, or involve a joint surface. When that happens, hand fracture surgery helps line the bone back up so the hand can heal in the right position and keep its strength and range of motion.
Types of Hand Fractures We Treat
Hand tendon damage can develop suddenly from an injury or gradually from repetitive strain.
Metacarpal Fractures - Breaks in the long bones of the palm. These can shorten or rotate a finger, which may affect grip if left untreated.
Boxer's Fractures - A break near the knuckle of the ring or small finger, usually from striking a hard surface. Boxer's fracture surgery may be recommended when the knuckle is badly angled or the finger rotates.
Finger (Phalanx) Fractures - Breaks in the finger bones, including those that extend into a joint. Broken finger surgery is often considered when a joint is involved or the pieces are unstable.
Scaphoid Fractures - A small bone at the base of the thumb with a limited blood supply, which can make healing slow. Scaphoid fracture surgery can help when the bone is displaced or not healing.
Injured your wrist instead? Learn about our distal radius fracture care.
Signs Your Hand May Be Broken:
Pain and Swelling
Bruising
Visible Deformity
Finger Overlap
Limited Movement
Numbness or Tingling
When Does a Broken Hand Need Surgery?
Your surgeon will carefully review your X-rays, and sometimes a CT scan to get a more detailed view of the break, to determine whether your injury can heal with a simple splint or requires a more involved repair. Hand fracture surgery is typically recommended when:
The bone pieces have shifted out of alignment
A finger rotates or overlaps when you make a fist
The break extends into a joint
The bone has broken through the skin (open fracture)
A fracture has not healed with splinting or casting
If surgery is needed, your care team will walk you through the specific approach to help restore full strength and motion to your hand.
What Happens During Hand Fracture Surgery?
One | Evaluation & Imaging
Your surgeon examines the hand and reviews imaging to plan the repair.
Two | Bone is realigned
The broken pieces are gently moved back into position, a step called reduction.
Three | Bone is secured
Small pins, screws, or a plate hold the bone in place to heal during this outpatient hand procedure.
FOur | Hand therapy
A splint protects the repair, followed by therapy to restore motion and strength.
Hand Fracture Recovery Time
Broken hand recovery time varies by patient and by the type of break. Most hand fractures typically take about six weeks for the bone to heal, with stiffness and strength continuing to improve for several weeks after. Many patients begin hand therapy soon after surgery to keep the fingers moving. Your surgeon will give you a personal timeline for returning to work, sports, and daily tasks.
why come to The Hand and Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio for your Hand Fracture Surgery?
When you visit us at The Hand and Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio, you will find a fine-tuned team ready to take care of you. Your physicians have over 100 years of collective experience and represent multiple generations and training backgrounds. In addition to your surgeons, you may meet one of our hand surgery fellows, each a fully trained orthopaedic or plastic surgeon who has chosen to spend an additional year studying hand & wrist surgery. From X-rays and casting to surgery and on-site hand therapy, your care stays under one roof.
Meet your Hand Specialist
Dr. David W. Person
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a Subspecialty Certification in Hand Surgery | 2023, 2025 & 2026 Top Doc, San Antonio Magazine
Dr. Person is a hand surgeon in San Antonio who treats fractures of the hand and fingers in patients of all ages. He works with each patient on a treatment plan that fits their injury, their work, and the activities they want to get back to.
Don't Wait on a Broken Hand
It's natural to hope a sore hand will settle down on its own. But a fracture that heals out of place can affect your grip for years. A quick visit gives you clear answers and the right plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Fracture Surgery
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Most fractured hands take about six weeks for the bone to heal. Full strength and motion can take several weeks longer, and hand therapy often helps speed that recovery. Your timeline depends on which bone broke and whether you needed surgery.
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An X-ray is the only way to know for sure. Signs that point toward a fracture include a visible bump or crooked finger, a sunken knuckle, a finger that overlaps another when you make a fist, and pain directly over the bone. If you are unsure, it is best to have it checked.
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A fractured hand often looks swollen and bruised across the back of the hand. You may also notice a misshapen or sunken knuckle, a bump along a bone, or a finger that points in a different direction than the others.
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No. Many hand fractures heal well with a splint or cast. Surgery is typically recommended when the bone has shifted out of place, a finger rotates, the break enters a joint, or the fracture is not healing on its own.
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Remove any rings, keep the hand raised above your heart, and apply ice wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling. Avoid trying to straighten the finger yourself and schedule an evaluation with a hand specialist as soon as you can.
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Many patients do. Hand therapy helps reduce stiffness and rebuild strength after the bone heals. Our certified hand therapists work on site, so your therapy and your follow-up visits stay with the same team.
Meet Our Physicians
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Mark Bagg, M.D.
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David W. Person, M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Ramesh C. Srinivasan, M.D.
OTHER Hand & Wrist RELATED ISSUES WE CAN HELP WITH
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