Fractured finger but no pain

[dannythomas]

We noticed our 13 year old daughter had a bigger gap betwen her pinky and the next finger on her racquet hand than she did on the other one. So we took her to a hand doctor who felt this was probably just a side effect of playing tennis. Possibly in the past she hurt her hand or other fingers and compensated with the two outer ones.

Just to be safe he sent her for an x ray and was suprised that it showed a small fracture at the base of the pinky. Now she at no stage has she had any pain from this injury. His feeling is that the fracture is on the mend and she could continue to play as long as she tapes her 2 fingers together .

However I feel very uneasy about this especially as she is still growing and has been suffering growing pains . Logic tells me she should rest it a few weeks then do another x ray. It is unfortunate because this is peak tournament season for her but am I being over cautious ?

 

[r2473]

Tell her to rub some dirt on it, swat her on the rear end, and push her back in the game.

 

[ollinger]

The absence of pain suggests the possibility that this might actually not be your daughter but rather a pod creature that's taken her place.

 

[dannythomas]

These 2 far from helpful responses are either from peoole who can't read or take some kind of moronic satisfaction in a child's injury. I clearly said that despite the doctor saying she could play with the fingers taped because the injury is on the mend and she has no pain my inclination is to let her rest unil another x ray shows it has healed completely. The doctor concerned is a hand surgeon who has the benefit of seeing the x ray. The 2 respondents here have the benefit of ignorance.

 

[ollinger]

"Ignorance"?? Hey, I'm not the guy seeking medical advice for my child from a bunch of internet clowns rather than consulting another orthopedist for a second opinion.

 

[r2473]

These 2 far from helpful responses ...The 2 respondents here have the benefit of ignorance.

Sounds like you understood the gist of each response.

Now, go rub some dirt on it.........

 

[Chas Tennis]

We noticed our 13 year old daughter had a bigger gap betwen her pinky and the next finger on her racquet hand than she did on the other one. So we took her to a hand doctor who felt this was probably just a side effect of playing tennis. Possibly in the past she hurt her hand or other fingers and compensated with the two outer ones.

Just to be safe he sent her for an x ray and was suprised that it showed a small fracture at the base of the pinky. Now she at no stage has she had any pain from this injury. His feeling is that the fracture is on the mend and she could continue to play as long as she tapes her 2 fingers together .

However I feel very uneasy about this especially as she is still growing and has been suffering growing pains . Logic tells me she should rest it a few weeks then do another x ray. It is unfortunate because this is peak tournament season for her but am I being over cautious ?

The medicine of bones during growth is a specialty. I believe that growth plates are right next to joints. Growth plates leave some things vulnerable under high stress. Research growth plates.

Did your Dr discuss whether the fracture was at the growth plates?

Recommend you get the written report from the imaging lab that took the X-Ray and research all findings, terms, etc.

You might get a second opinion from a Dr who specializes in adolescents, growth issues and sports.

I don't understand how bones heal under stress. Who knows how much stress your daughter's hand experiences in her tennis?

Both of my broken elbows as a child took about 6 weeks in casts. I guess 6 weeks might be a first estimate for healing time for new bone fractures. Research healing time bone fracture. That's not very long. Your daughter may not have a new injury and that may make a difference. ?

 

[dannythomas]

The medicine of bones during growth is a specialty. I believe that growth plates are right next to joints. Growth plates leave some things vulnerable under high stress. Research growth plates.

Did your Dr discuss whether the fracture was at the growth plates?

Recommend you get the written report from the imaging lab that took the X-Ray and research all findings, terms, etc.

You might get a second opinion from a Dr who specializes in adolescents, growth issues and sports.

I don't understand how bones heal under stress. Who knows how much stress your daughter's hand experiences in her tennis?

Both of my broken elbows as a child took about 6 weeks in casts. I guess 6 weeks might be a first estimate for healing time for new bone fractures. Research healing time bone fracture. That's not very long. Your daughter may not have a new injury and that may make a difference. ?

Thank you this is very helpful. A very thoughtful response and I will in the first instance ask about growth plates. This kind of reply was what I was hoping for rather than the pathetic sarcasm of the 2 previous respondents.

Apparently it is not a new fracture and she has most likely had it for several weeks . I already decided she should rest the injury and today the doctor will advise me of the likely healing time.

 

[dannythomas]

The medicine of bones during growth is a specialty. I believe that growth plates are right next to joints. Growth plates leave some things vulnerable under high stress. Research growth plates.

Did your Dr discuss whether the fracture was at the growth plates?

Recommend you get the written report from the imaging lab that took the X-Ray and research all findings, terms, etc.

You might get a second opinion from a Dr who specializes in adolescents, growth issues and sports.

I don't understand how bones heal under stress. Who knows how much stress your daughter's hand experiences in her tennis?

Both of my broken elbows as a child took about 6 weeks in casts. I guess 6 weeks might be a first estimate for healing time for new bone fractures. Research healing time bone fracture. That's not very long. Your daughter may not have a new injury and that may make a difference. ?

Your advice was really helpful Chas. The x ray did show a small growth fracture and as you said the surgeon's best estimate is 6 weeks from the time the injury occurred to heal and he estimated that it has already been healing for 2-3 weeks. Thanks so much for the constructive well informed advice.

 

[Chas Tennis]

Your advice was really helpful Chas. The x ray did show a small growth fracture and as you said the surgeon's best estimate is 6 weeks from the time the injury occurred to heal and he estimated that it has already been healing for 2-3 weeks. Thanks so much for the constructive well informed advice.

Glad that you are learning more about the issue.

I learned about growth plates when I took my son to a hospital clinic specializing in growth issues. He had grown 1/2" in a month - a few times - and I was getting worried about his final height. They X-rayed his hand and said that his growth was about 90-95% complete. They predicted his final height and they were right on.

More recently, I read about much more serious injuries of young baseball pitchers. When an adult's tendon, as for Tennis Elbow or Golfer's Elbow, is subject to excessive stress the tendon may tear or a very small piece of bone can break off where the tendon attaches. For young pitchers, the entire knob of bone, the lateral epicondyle, can break off separating near these growth plates.

I hope that your daughter's finger is well soon.

There is a video on the shoulder during the serve by Ellenbecker. He gives some simple advice that I believe is totally backed up by looking at high level pro serves in high speed videos.

At minute 8 he describe the one shoulder high and one low orientation to use for the internal shoulder rotation serve.

Last, high speed video can show the details of your daughter's strokes. If any of her motions are very different from high level strokes you might look into those aspects of her stroke technique.

Cheap, basic camera capable of showing tennis strokes including the serve with small motion blur.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=484212