Tuft Fracture

Tuft Fracture

What is a tuft fracture?
The tuft is the very end part of your finger bone, which sits just underneath your fingernail. It is commonly broken (fractured) when you injure your fingertip.

What are the symptoms?
You may have pain, swelling or bruising under the nail or on the finger pad.

How are tuft fractures managed?
Most tuft fractures will heal within a few weeks. If there is a wound, this may need washing and/or suturing. Occasionally you may need to have the bruise under your nail drained (trephined).

What can I do?
You can use your hand normally, but you may find the fingertip quite sore for a few weeks. Sometimes a mallet splint can be applied as protection from knocking it on objects.

What can I expect after treatment?
The finger will usually stop hurting within the first few weeks. The nail may come off and initially may grow back with a ridge.

The fingertip may have altered sensation or be sensitive to the cold, especially in the first year after the injury. Wear gloves to help reduce this.

If you do develop ongoing issues, please contact VFC or Hand Therapy.

Should you have any worries or concerns following your discharge from hospital please contact:

Virtual Fracture Clinic

07:00 – 14:30 Monday-Friday

Worcester Royal Hospital 01905 760 252

https://staging.worcsacute.mixd.co.uk/virtual-fracture-clinic

Hand Therapy (Occupational Therapy)

Worcester Royal Hospital 01905 760 683

Alexandra Hospital Redditch 01527 512 146

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything, please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.  

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