Is a tuft fracture an open fracture?

A tuft fracture is frequently an open fracture due to its common association with injury to the surrounding soft tissues or nail bed. Even without surrounding soft tissue injury, the fracture is considered open in the presence of a nail bed injury.

What is an open fracture of finger?

An open fracture, also called a compound fracture, is a fracture in which there is an open wound or break in the skin near the site of the broken bone. Most often, this wound is caused by a fragment of bone breaking through the skin at the moment of the injury.

How is a broken distal phalanx treated?

Open fracture of the distal phalanx often necessitates referral to an orthopedic or hand subspecialist because digital nerve block, wound debridement, irrigation and soft tissue repair are required. Often, soft tissue repair will suffice to stabilize the fracture.

What is open fracture?

Open fractures are breaks in a bone complicated by a wound or wounds. They are usually caused by vehicle accidents. People with open fractures usually have some treatment from ambulance staff at the scene of the accident.

What is a tuft fracture of the distal phalanx?

Often a distal phalanx fracture is a “tuft” fracture, which means that a small fragment or fragments of bone are chipped off the edge of the distal phalanx. These bone injuries do not require wiring or pinning, as they will heal by themselves.

How do you treat a open finger fracture?

This injury usually takes about 4 weeks to heal. Finger injuries are often treated with a splint or cast, or by taping the injured finger to the next one (buddy taping). This protects the injured finger and holds the bone in position while it heals. More serious fractures may need surgery.

When are antibiotics indicated in the treatment of open-tuft fractures?

For open-tuft fractures with clean wounds, prophylactic antibiotic coverage is not indicated. Early aggressive local wound care has been found to be the best prevention against infection in open fingertip fractures.

What is a tuft fracture?

Fracture of distal portion of distal phalanx is also known as a “Tuft fracture” Hand: finger slammed in door Foot: stubbed toe or dropped a heavy object

Which antibiotics are used to treat finger fractures?

Early aggressive local wound care has been found to be the best prevention against infection in open fingertip fractures. When there is gross contamination with marginally viable tissue, prophylactic antibiotics such as cefazolin (Ancef), 1000 mg IV, followed by cephalexin (Keflex), 500 mg qid PO × 5 days, may be appropriate.

When are prophylactic antibiotics indicated for open wounds?

Controversial but in general, prophylactic antibiotics are indicated for grossly contaminated open wounds, and can be considered in high risk patients (ex. diabetics, peripheral artery disease). Otherwise, NOT indicated in open distal phalanx fracture (aka tuft fracture) as long as: Fracture is at distal phalanx (i.e. tuft fracture)