The first sign of a fractured finger is pain. Your experience of pain and depends on the severity of your finger fracture. After sustaining an injury to your finger, treat it carefully and keep an eye on your pain levels.  It can be hard to identify if you have a finger fracture right away, because acute pain and tenderness are also symptoms of dislocations and sprains. Look for other symptoms and/or seek medical attention if you are unsure of the severity of your injury. After sustaining a fracture to your finger, you will notice acute pain that is followed by swelling or bruising. This is part of your body’s natural response to injury. After fracture, your body activates the inflammatory response followed by swelling caused by fluid released into the surrounding tissues.  Swelling is often followed by bruising. This happens when the capillaries around the injury swell or burst in response to the increased fluid pressure.  It may be hard to know if your finger is fractured at first, as you still may be able to move it. After you try to move your finger, swelling and bruising begin to become apparent. The swelling may also spread to other fingers or down the palm of the hand. You are likely to notice swelling and bruising 5-10 minutes after your first sensations of pain in your finger. However, minor swelling or the absence of immediate bruising may be indicative of a sprain instead of a fracture. A finger fracture consists of a segment of the bone that is cracked or broken in one or more places. The bone deformity can show up as unusual bumps on the finger or a finger that points in a different direction.  If there are signs of misalignment, the finger is probably broken. You usually cannot move your finger if it is fractured because one or more sections of the bone are no longer connected. It is also likely that swelling and bruising makes your finger too stiff to move comfortably following any injuries. Go to your nearest accident and emergency department if you think you have a finger fracture. Fractures are complicated injuries and their severity is not readily apparent from external symptoms. Some fractures require more involved treatment in order to heal correctly. If you aren't sure whether an injury is a fracture, it's better to err on the side of caution and see a doctor.  If you have significant pain, swelling, bruising, or any deformity or decreased movement of your finger, seek medical attention.  Children with finger injuries should always see a doctor. Young and growing bones are more susceptible to injury and to complications if those injuries aren't treated properly. If your fracture is not treated by a medical professional, then it is possible that your finger and hand will remain painfully stiff when you try to move your finger. A bone that re-knits out of proper alignment can further hinder your successful use of your hand.
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One-sentence summary -- Check for pain and tenderness. Check for swelling and bruising. Look for deformity or inability to move the finger. Know when to see medical attention.


It can help to exercise daily, strengthening your muscles and increasing mobility in order to reduce pain and inflammation. Try exercises that can be done to improve your overall health including walking, swimming, water aerobics. Strengthening the abdominal muscles can help to stabilize your entire core and spine. Regularly taking the time to tone up the core can be a great way to relieve stress on the spine.  Lie on your back on a flat surface while keeping the pelvis and spine in a neutral position. Bend your knees and tighten the lower abdominal muscles, by pulling your belly button closer to the spine without holding the breath. Breathe evenly while maintaining the contraction of the abdomen and hold it for ten seconds. This should be done in 3 sets of 10 repetitions each and can be done once daily. This exercise can improve the flexibility of the lower hips and spine and improve mobility. Increased mobility relieves stress on the back and can reduce pain and tension in the spine.  Start by lying on your back while bending both knees. Bring one knee to the chest until you feel a gentle stretch on the lower hip and spine. Hold this position for 5 seconds and then lower the leg slowly. You can perform 10 repetitions on each leg, once daily. Many people with a degenerative spine have tightness of the hamstring muscles (the muscles found at the back of the thigh). This tension can increase pressure on the back and further aggravate the spine and musculature of the back.  Start by lying on your back with one leg raised. Hold the strap that around the foot of the raised leg. Use the strap for support and to elevate the leg until a stretch is felt at the back of the thigh and knee. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then lower the leg slowly. You can repeat this stretch 3 times on each leg, once daily.
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One-sentence summary -- Understand that exercising other parts of your body can help to strengthen and relieve pain in your back. Do an exercise that strengthens the abdomen. Bring your knee to your chest to improve flexibility. Perform a hamstring stretch.


You should try to spend a lot of time with the dog you are caring for when you first meet it. Dogs can suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave. This can be countered by giving the dog attention and getting it used to your presence.  Take the dog for a walk or play a game fetch soon after you meet it. This will distract the dog from the owner's absence and help it bond with you. It's especially important to spend a lot of time with the dog if you're taking it to your home rather than spending time at the owners. They may look for things to chew on or destroy in a new environment so you'll want to be nearby to prevent this.  Dogs recognize people based on smell. Give the dog time to sniff your hand so they get used to your scent or they might get nervous each time you walk into the room. The anxiety of missing their owner can cause dogs to ignore their training and behave badly. They may start to chew on things, eliminate in the house, or otherwise destroy things. You should generally keep a close eye on the dog for the first few hours. If the dog is behaving badly, start by taking them for a walk or giving them a treat to calm them down. Walks are good because the dog will work out their aggression outside and be tired when they return home. If you are taking the dog to your home, you should keep the dog in a cage or leashed to a stationary object when they are left alone. Dogs get anxious in new environments, especially when they're alone and may engage in destructive behavior.
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One-sentence summary --
Spend time with it. Watch for bad behaviors. Secure the dog when you leave the house.