Discharge Advice Following a Finger Tuft Fracture

Initial advice

• You have broken the bone in your fingertip.
• This injury usually heals well within six weeks.
• This is treated with a dressing and/or a removable splint.
• Rest and elevate the finger for at least 72 hours.
• If you have a wound, please monitor for any increased pain, heat, redness, bleeding or oozing. Return to the Emergency Department or Minor Injury Unit if these occur as you may have an infection.
• It is advisable to keep the finger protected in the splint for at least two weeks.

After two weeks

• Continue to use the splint intermittently for four to six weeks for protection.
• Start to regain full movement. Remove the splint every two to three hours and gently bend the finger 10 times as pain allows.
• Avoid any impact such as ball sports for six weeks.
• Avoid driving until you no longer need the splint and can safely control the vehicle.
• The finger may be tender for up to three months.

If the pain gets worse or you haven’t regained full finger movement within four weeks, please contact us on the details below.

Contact numbers

We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the following Dorset County Hospital staff:

Virtual Fracture Clinic: 01305 253305, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
VFCTriage@dchft.nhs.uk

About this leaflet

Author: Lauren Eve
Written: December 2024
Approved: February 2025
Review date: February 2028
Edition: 1

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk