The Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand

Many things can cause finger injuries:

• Fingertip laceration (kitchen accidents are common, including cutting an avocado)
• Kitchen tool accidents (i.e., mandolin) that leave a deep cut on the finger
• Power tool accidents 
• Vehicle accidents 
• Workplace accidents
• Hunting accidents 
• Fishing accidents 
• Slamming your finger in a car door
• A dog leash wrapping around the fingers

No matter how finger injuries happen, they are extremely painful since fingertips have the most nerve endings. Even though some injuries are relatively minor, finger injuries can impact daily routines and prevent you from working or enjoying social activities. 

At the Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand, we provide customized treatment plans to restore finger function and appearance. We can also correct a disfigured finger following trauma or after previous unsuccessful treatment.

The Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand is your first and only stop for your comprehensive hand treatment plan. Of course, if you have a traumatic finger injury, you may have seen the Emergency Department as the first step in your medical care. 

Finger injuries may include:

• Superficial trauma to the skin 
• Damage to the skin and soft tissue
• Fingertip fracture (ranging from a hairline fracture fingertip injury to distal interphalangeal – DIP – joint trauma)
• Injury to the nail 

Determining the level of invasion is critical for providing the best treatment. The surgeon will perform a thorough physical examination that may sometimes involve imaging tests (i.e., X-rays), sensation tests, or nerve tests (i.e., Electromyography (EMG) or Nerve Conduction Study (NCS). This in-depth evaluation helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan.   

Trusted by Maine Health and Mercy Hospital, the Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand handles the most finger surgeries and specialized hand treatment in this region. 

Finger injury treatment depends on the diagnosis:

• If it is just a flesh injury to the top layer of the skin, it can be stitched back or repaired with a skin graft. 
• You might have reconstructive surgery using skin grafts/flaps if it is a deeper injury.
• You might have to fix the nail plate if the damage goes into the nail.
• If it addresses the bone, you will likely need surgery to make it functional.

Depending on your specific finger diagnosis, your Plastic + Hand surgeon will discuss the most appropriate surgical options. With training from some of the top medical centers in the U.S. (including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, UCSF, Mayo Clinic), Plastic + Hand surgeons have the depth of experience and skills necessary to perform your finger surgery safely and successfully in the comfort of our accredited outpatient Plastic + Hand Surgery Center located on-site here in Portland, Maine. 

In many cases, surgery is just the start of recovery, and intensive rehabilitation may be necessary to increase finger strength and function. That’s why Plastic + Hand includes occupational therapists as important members of our team to provide treatment for patients with finger injuries.

With such a broad spectrum of diagnosis and severity, this answer entirely depends on your situation.

Here are some general guidelines that may be helpful: 

• Occupational therapy may help with the healing process, including splinting and wound care.
• Our Plastic + Hand OTs will also help post-operatively, providing exercises and effective scar healing management.

Many patients also come to the Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand to correct past finger injuries, especially if they have inferior functionality, lingering pain/sensitivity, or aesthetic concerns – all of which our team can help you with.

You’ll discuss your finger injury treatment plan with your Plastic + Hand surgeon. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your medical history, finger injury, and discuss the best procedure for your diagnosis.  

After this personalized consultation, our scheduling and pre-authorization team will work with you and your insurance company to ensure the procedure is covered and scheduled in a timely manner.