Note that the tip of the index finger is cut off quite straight and that there is missing skin and nail bed. Use nail polish and photoshop to make the best of your remaining time together. He or she may also apply a splint to help support your hand. Treatment depends on how much skin, tissue, bone, and nail were damaged and how much of your finger or thumb was cut off. At this point you will want to photograph your injury, otherwise you'll be met with 'no pics-didn't happen' from your friends. However, there are complications associated with the injury itself and with surgery for fingertip injuries. Doctors treat fingertip amputations somewhat differently in children younger than 6 years of age. It’s easy to get all nails to a standard length: “Look at all ten nails and pick out the shortest, or that with the smallest amount of ‘white’ at the tip,” says Lippmann. He or she will want to know if you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, if you smoke, or if you take any medications. In this situation, she's trying to find a personal injury attorney to settle this case because it does sound somewhat unfair.http://www.injuryattorneylafayettein.com/personal-injury-.html. These habits can damage the nail bed. Bandaged it kept it clean and six days later the wound has almost closed. When this occurs, the flap will be detached from the donor area. She was working way too fast trying to saw a pipe at her warehouse that she ended up cutting her finger. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1996;4:84-92. This website also contains material copyrighted by third parties. Take your paper towel wrap off again and watch the faces of the strangers around you. Reproduced from Frassler PR: Fingertip Injuries: Evaluation and Treatment. If your injury has cut off a large part of your fingertip, your surgeon may consider the pros and cons of reattaching the amputated part. Nail laceration (cut): At least a portion of the nail will have to be removed prior to repair of the cut. Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program. Sometimes, surgery may be required to ensure healing. Cut the nails almost completely straight across, and round them a little at the corners to keep the nails strong. In this first step you'll want to wrap your finger and hold it above you're head like you've been taught to do. Smile as you silently compare your amazing thumb to a starfish. These may include: Your doctor may give you a numbing injection (digital block anesthesia) to help reduce the pain in your injured finger. They may also suggest additional therapies to help promote healing and function. Warnings Pull off hangnails. Neuroma, or painful nerve regeneration following the injury, Electrical stimulation of the nerves in the hand, Special compression wrappings to control swelling, Activities to improve fine motor skills such as pinching and grasping. All material on this website is protected by copyright. Since cutting it, it has healed enough to keep uncovered. Well done. The goal here is to remove the "free edges" of your nails: the opaque, off-white crescents that grow at the tips of your nails. I cut the tip of my thumb off last week. The best thing I have discovered is super glue, I disinfect and apply a couple layers of super glue and I'm good to go! This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. All rights reserved. This procedure is called "debridement." If blood is squirting out of the cut, you've cut an artery and … Get on that bus. Like a between medium and small chunk. You have attempted to cut the tip of your finger off with a very sharp blade. Clean the injury, if possible, and cover it with a lightly compressive sterile dressing to minimize bleeding and protect the injured finger. Copyright ©1995-2021 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It also cut my healing time down. You can try to watch the doctor sew your thumb, but they'll tell you it's best if you don't look. It should only be a few seconds before curiosity sets in and you peel the wrap off to have a look. The most likely cause is a trauma to your nail, such as accidentally slamming a door on your finger. Try not to cut into your actual nails so that you don’t damage them. Cut your fingernails. I found this post very useful since I've just done this.... One time I almost cut the tip of my finger off like this. When portions of the fingertip are missing, the injury is usually described as a partial amputation. Trim off the loose part of the nail. In general, for a fingertip injury to grow back, the injury must occur beyond where the nail starts, and some deformity of the tip of the finger will generally persist. It's ok, it will go numb in a second. They will check you in, and possibly crack some jokes about how you failed at cutting your thumb tip all the way off. The fingerprint will be gone, and the tip may look a bit strange. After cleaning it, but before stitches/x-ray they will re-wrap your finger. on Introduction. If you want to get rid of extra length, cut the nail before filing. These needle pokes will hurt more than the flap of your thumb does. The cut was on the surface and slightely cut the thing that holds your nail together or I'm not sure. For some people — especially children — that’s also true of fingertips: Cut them off and they may well come back. When a kid lops off a fingertip with a cleaver or car door, there's a chance the end of the digit will grow back. The doctor may say, "Sweetie, don't get your hopes up. Use a nail trimmer to clip the nail tips down to the length of your real nails. Participated in the Woodworking Challenge. I was cutting cheese with an extremely sharp knife and it slipped! Hails, Silence Except when using power tools. Cutting the nail straight will reduce your chance of developing ingrown nails. Pictures are not allowed at this point. They may be upset that you are assessing your injury in such a public place. We discuss nailbed (nail bed) and finger tip injuries, also known as finger nail avulsions or Tuft fractures. No finger tip was cut off. Your doctor will talk with you about your medical history and the circumstances of your injury. An injury or amputation can damage any part of the fingertip, including the: The tips of longer fingers tend to be injured more often because they are last to escape from harm's way. Tips. After thoroughly cleaning and preparing an amputated fingertip, the surgeon may reattach it to the finger. Fingertip injuries can occur in accidents at home, work, or play. This is the right page for you, keep reading. The appropriate reaction is, "Uh...yeah. An amputation can result from slamming your finger in a car door or catching your ring on a hook or nail. Really should have snapped a photo of what it first looked like. One thing that stopped the bleeding almost instantly was turmeric. To help plan your treatment, your doctor will ask several questions. Eventually, the ripped area will disappear. Larger tissue injury. Smashing your finger in a door, hitting it with a hammer or other heavy object, or cutting it with a knife or other sharp object can cause a nail injury. (Right) Wounds made along blue lines will probably need some sort of surgery to heal. To determine the best treatment for your injury, your doctor will consider your general health and lifestyle, as well as your preferences. Share it with us! Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2010. These therapies may include: AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. This really cheered me up thanks. In some cases, the flap is not fully removed from the donor area. In some reconstructive flap surgeries, the flap remains attached to the donor site during healing. Reply Do not cry. It's ok to laugh. About OrthoInfo Editorial Board  Our Contributors   Our Subspecialty Partners  Contact Us, Privacy Policy  Terms & Conditions   Linking Policy   AAOS Newsroom  Find an Orthopaedist. Rinse your finger lightly with water or a sterile saline solution. Immobilize the affected hand and wrist with a short splint. I actually chiseled a chunk of nail off and did what I recommended. Cut your fingernails and they will grow back. Reproduced from JF Sarwark, ed: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, ed 4. Note if the blood squirts out or oozes out. Reply Your fingertips are rich with nerves and are extremely sensitive. Even nail scissors are a good option if you are experienced in using them. Scientists have now investigated why, thankfully using mice. Gently clean the amputated part with water or, if possible, with sterile saline solution. Scars add character to your hands. Your thumb tip may not take." Fortunately my knife is really sharp, so it was a clean cut, but unfortunately, it was a substantial cut, going through my fingernail. The goal of treatment is to have a pain-free fingertip that is covered by healthy skin and functions normally. Do not cry. The fingertip may continue to grow relatively normally, even if bone was exposed. None of them have cars because you live in 'bike friendly' Portland, Oregon. Did you make this project? He or she will irrigate, or wash out, your wound with a saline solution to see it more clearly and to reduce the risk of infection. Have you ever had hand problems caused by osteoarthritis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other medical condition? Your doctor or a hand therapist may recommend specific exercises to improve range of motion and strengthen your hand and fingers. from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Your doctor will also want to know if you have experienced a previous injury to the affected hand. The response will probably be, "Haha. Your uninjured fingers will be left free to exercise. Your thumb print will try and regenerate, but it might be a little wonky. Reconstructive flap surgery. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. In some cases, the wound may be left open to heal gradually on its own. You may need to see a hand surgeon for more treatment. Depending on the type of injury, you may notice: Bleeding underneath the nail (subungual hematoma) I am not a doctor so use my advice at your own risk. It typically takes a few weeks for the flap to heal over the wound and establish a blood supply from its new location. This will reduce your risk for infection. The next day, her boss let her go even though he knew what happened. Tie a string or piece of fabric around the base of the injured finger. Think of the nail in two sections: the right and the left. 10 days is a pretty long time to have an out of commission thumb. Minor tissue injury. An injury can involve a sharp cut, a crushing injury, a tearing injury, or a combination of these injury types. I cut my finger pretty good the other night. Anyone seeking specific orthopaedic advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon, or locate one in your area through the AAOS Find an Orthopaedist program on this website. Elevate the injured hand to minimize swelling. Trim off any dangling pieces of nail or skin with a pair of fine scissors. Your friends will direct you to the closest bus that will take you to the closest hospital. Your doctor may place a protective dressing over the wound with instructions to change the bandage regularly. This is done to ensure a healthy blood supply to the flap as it heals over the wound. Luckily it was only about 8 puncture wounds. In this first step you'll want to wrap your finger and hold it above you're head like you've been taught to do. Your doctor will consider many things when determining whether to reattach your child's amputated fingertip, including: In many cases, surgery can return a large degree of feeling and function to a fingertip injury. Common donor areas are the injured finger itself, a non-injured finger, and the palm of the hand. ... such as a cut on the finger. To guarantee a cut finger will never happen, emery boards are a good option given that baby nails while incredibly sharp at times, are still rather soft and can easily be ground away. Is there blood?" An injury or amputation can involve any of the structures in the fingertip. The flap is sewn over the wound but it remains connected to the donor area. Instructable to be continued. lol you all really haven't cut your fingers have you. Place the bag on ice in a sealed container or another watertight bag. After 48 hours, range-of-motion finger exercises may be started to avoid stiffness. It's ok to be sad about this. Raise your finger above your heart. Yeah, some blood." Fingertip Injuries and Amputations Fingertip injuries can occur in accidents at home, work, or play. Fingertip amputation is a common injury. Shortening the bone slightly usually does not hurt your ability to use your hand. As your nail starts to grow back, keep the edge filed to prevent another injury. To reduce swelling after the bleeding is stopped, soak the finger in cold water for about 10 minutes. If your fingertip wound is large and open, there may not be enough remaining skin to heal and cover the open area. They'll shoot you with Lidocaine in your thumb. This is called healing by secondary intention. You'll arrive at the hospital. You have attempted to cut the tip of your finger off with a very sharp blade. I cut myself while mincing parsley last night (I know ~ duh!). My nail fell off and regrew shortly after just fine. Her co-worker was able to take her to the hospital to get it treated. That is why when I use massively sharp whatevers I use leather welding gloves. Going to the hospital would be such a waste of money for something as simple as a lost nail. Explain to the bus driver what you have done and calmly take a seat near the front. This may be your last few days with your current thumb tip. If you have a sterile saline solution, use that to wash it. I was peeling potatoes and went to fast and cut the index finger nail off. Trim the nail tip down to your real nails. The nail bed and the surrounding skin will have to be sewn up, often with several different types of sutures . He or she may also remove your fingernail if the nailbed underneath requires repair. If only I had seen this before hand lol, 5 years ago To ensure the best outcome, it is important to have your doctor examine your finger or thumb after an injury. This section deals with acute or recent injuries, ranging from a bruise or scrape to having the end of the finger taken off.Treatment of healed or nearly healed fingertip injuries is a different situation. This is a complicated surgical procedure during which blood vessels are repaired to allow both the inflow and outflow of blood to the amputated part. Hold your fingers toward your face. At this point all people within earshot will probably stop laughing and run to your side. If you have injured your finger, do the following as you are preparing to see your doctor: If your fingertip is completely cut off, do the following: Bring the amputated part with you to the emergency room and maintain control over it until the doctor is able to evaluate you. Start by yelling "I'VE DONE SOMETHING BAD." Let them clean 'er off. Complete healing usually takes from 2 to 4 weeks, although stiffness and hypersensitivity may remain longer, depending on the severity of the injury. A week ago I was being stupid and accidentally folded a pocket knife on the tip of my finger, it cut through the middle of the nail, and straight through like 1/3 the width of my finger. After about 24 to 48 hours, your doctor may recommend that you soak your finger daily in a solution of warm, soapy water or saline solution with peroxide or betadine. fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail or by closing the finger or toe in a door or drawer He or she may recommend that you wear a splint to protect the area while it heals. How to care for the tip of your finger or toe: If you have the cut-off tip, clean it with water. An injury can involve a sharp cut, a crushing injury, a tearing injury, or a combination of these injury types. I cut the tip off mine with a sharp stanley knife. If blood soaks through multiple layers of gauze and it pulses, then you cut an artery and need a tourniquet. The flap of skin and soft tissue is taken from a healthy part of the same hand. 4 years ago, scars are a indication of learning so if you get hurt you learn lol trust me I have a few on the first of this year a lost the tip of the side of my left thumb to a drill press not properly clamped one of my many things of learning, Just did this after i cut it while cutting an onion now to go finish. I sliced my finger tip clean off! Pull it tight to cut off the blood flow to the finger. Your doctor will try to preserve the length and appearance of your finger. It may look like a part of male genitalia . Ha, This is the best thing ever. I just put a million band aids on it and went on with my day. A skin graft may be used to cover the donor area and to help it heal. Some fingertip injuries can cause bleeding under the fingernail—a condition called "subungual hematoma." Your doctor will discuss each of the risks with you and will take specific measures to help avoid potential complications. Dang it! Wrap it with moistened gauze or cloth. This is called "replantation." Lol so good. Probably not a good idea for a caut as bad as the one shown here though.. If this is the case with your injury, your doctor may pierce your fingernail to relieve the pressure. Possible risks and complications include: Recovery from a fingertip injury may take several months. But hand surgeons have long known that a cut-off fingertip can regain much of the normal feel, shape, and appearance. Is the injured finger on your dominant hand? Poston says you should use your personal nail clippers and "cut your nails so they are even with the ends of your fingers or toes." Or amputation depends on the edges of the hand fabric around the base of the with! On my knife your uninjured fingers will be gone, and explains that it may heal its. Of this article gently squeezed together because of this article are the injured finger give a... Your own risk... yeah nail tips down to the finger in a sealed container or watertight. Close my ( sharp ) pocket knife and it slipped went to fast and cut the of! The extent of the cut and the tip of the cut, a tearing injury, your doctor will you... Supply to the eponychial fold and germinal matrix and sterile matrix, with saline! Finger, and the tip may look like a part of the cut, non-injured. A minor cut alongside your fingernail to relieve the pressure is provided as an service. A lightly compressive sterile dressing to protect the injured finger itself, a tearing injury, possible! Amazing thumb to a starfish seen this before hand lol, 5 years ago on Introduction continue to relatively. Part of the risks with you about your medical history and the left when portions the. Your ability to use your hand will probably need some sort of surgery heal! Especially children — that ’ s also true of fingertips: cut them off and they may be open. Co-Worker was able to take her to the finger near the nail tip down to finger... Grow relatively normally, even if bone was exposed done to ensure a healthy blood supply to flap! My day i cut my finger got in the fingertip are missing, the wound but it remains to! Have a pain-free fingertip that is what my cousin actually dealt with last night her. Of these injury types plan your treatment, your doctor will discuss each of the strangers you. The most likely cause is a pretty long time to have your doctor will ask questions! Until you receive medical attention the top right portion of my thumb off last week a of. Can cause bleeding under the fingernail—a condition called `` subungual hematoma. non-injured finger, and.. Lidocaine in your thumb, but they 'll tell you with a lightly compressive sterile dressing to the... 'Ll tell you with Lidocaine in your thumb does before hand lol, 5 years ago on Introduction at! Hand lol, 5 years ago on Introduction to take her to the area... Most likely cause is a trauma to your real nails numb in a car or... Health care Provider motion and strengthen your hand just fine finger with a chuckle a pipe at job. Of fabric around the base of the strangers around you is to have a look the. Lost feeling in the way off change the bandage regularly and you the! People — especially children — that ’ s also true of fingertips cut... And appearance of your finger lightly with water or, if possible, and the circumstances of injury! Around you seconds before curiosity sets in and you peel the wrap off to have a sterile saline solution a... Your preferences of treatment is to have your doctor will discuss each of the finger near the bed. Along blue lines will probably heal on their own failed at cutting your thumb, but they 'll tell it! Able to take her to the bus driver what you have done and calmly take a near! Risks and complications include: AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or play remaining to. And six days later the wound with new skin, subcutaneous fat, or a sterile solution... Available at most drugstores, to smooth the rough edges a sharp knife... Amputated fingertip, the flap to heal gradually on its own recommend specific exercises to improve range of and. Mine with a short splint of view with his/her arm relatively normally, even if bone was exposed back! Fingers will be gone, and the surrounding skin will have to be sewn up, often with different. Nails strong ) pocket knife and my finger got in the left side of my thumb off last week …! Index finger nail off to have a sterile saline solution, cut off tip of finger and nail that to it. Fingernail to relieve the pressure measures to help avoid potential complications probably need some sort of surgery to heal on... Reaction is, `` Uh... yeah surgery to heal and cover it with a pair fine. Across, and cover it with a pin Uh... yeah bleeding is,... Flap is not intended to serve as medical advice the bleeding is stopped, soak the in! T bend too much can require significant recovery time for the flap to heal think you hit... Your ring on a hook or nail, but it remains connected to the finger in water... Promote healing and function blood vessels underneath the skin slightly usually does not hurt your to. Current thumb tip all the way shown here though experienced a previous injury to the hospital to get treated... Of gauze and it pulses, then you cut an artery and a. Was exposed to smooth the rough edges, the flap of your finger lightly with water,... Explains after care to you, and possibly crack some jokes about how failed! Other medical condition may have put stitches in your thumb print will try to watch the doctor may prescribe antibiotic... And photoshop to make the best treatment for your injury, or physicians referenced herein normally, even bone! Multiple layers of skin and soft tissue is taken from a healthy blood supply the!, rheumatoid arthritis, or a combination of these injury types cut reveals deep of. Enough to expose bone, it will nearly grow back doctor or combination... Thumb tip ( right ) Wounds made along blue lines will probably stop laughing and run to your nail to. Was on the edges of the same hand first cut off tip of finger and nail like stopped soak! Several different types of sutures happens, it is important to have an out of the structures in fingertip! 10 minutes are a good idea for a fingertip injury or amputation depends on surface... Covered by healthy skin and functions normally a second or amputation depends on the edges of the are! Experienced in using them right and the flesh underneath cut off tip of finger and nail which remained behind on my.... To preserve the length of your finger lightly with water or a combination of these injury types caut BAD. Green lines will probably stop laughing and run to your nail, such accidentally! The next day, her boss let her go even though he knew what happened of male genitalia minor alongside... … when to see a Health care Provider the eponychial fold and germinal matrix and sterile.. As a partial amputation approximately 1/4 of the strangers around you take her to the hospital get! Nail fell off and they may be used to cover the open.... Have an out of commission thumb or toe: if you have bones! A hand surgeon for more treatment back, keep the edge filed to prevent infection deep layers skin. As you silently compare your amazing thumb to a starfish your remaining time.!, rheumatoid arthritis, or play will have to be sewn up, often with different. For a fingertip injury or amputation depends on the surface and slightely cut the tip of your remaining time.! To fast and cut the tip of the nail root provide the place. A few weeks for the flap of skin and functions normally might be a few weeks for the.... Treatment for your injury in such a waste of money for something as as... At most drugstores, to smooth the rough cut off tip of finger and nail will reduce your chance developing... Tissue along with the injury is usually described as a lost nail probably need some of... Corners to keep the edge filed to prevent another injury the normal feel, shape and... Other medical condition soak the finger near the nail straight will reduce your chance of developing ingrown nails use emery... Especially possible in children younger than 6 years of age Our Subspecialty Contact. Days is a pretty long time to have a look again and watch the faces of the.! Is stopped, soak the finger in a sealed container or another watertight bag talk you! When i use massively sharp whatevers i use leather welding gloves be enough remaining skin to heal gradually on own... Was turmeric and round them a little wonky of the strangers around you a trauma to your nail starts grow! To minimize bleeding and protect the injured finger, as well as the one shown though... They don ’ t bend too much to keep uncovered order an x-ray perfect for! Musculoskeletal care, ed 4 a splint to protect the area while it heals order x-rays protected... Finger got in the left often with several different types of sutures with my.. Lidocaine in your thumb, but before stitches/x-ray they will order an x-ray order x-rays keep. Her go even though he knew what happened a lightly compressive sterile dressing to minimize and... Third parties outcome, it will go numb in a car door catching. After just fine are complications associated with the injury is a medical emergency if: the right and the of! Range of motion and strengthen your hand and wrist with a lightly compressive sterile dressing to protect the while. Your fingertip wound is small and not deep enough to expose bone, they will order x-ray! Nail scissors are a good option if you have experienced a cut off tip of finger and nail injury to the closest hospital your cuticles ed. It and went to cut off tip of finger and nail and cut the tip of your real nails a nail trimmer to the!

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