Immobilization It is vital to limit the movement of a fractured bone in your hand in order for it to heal properly. This will very certainly necessitate the use of a splint or a cast. To prevent swelling and agony, you should keep your hand as close to your heart as possible. This may require someone to help you with your duties for some time. There are two ways that doctors treat fractures to the bones of the hand: internally and externally. Both methods involve placing the hand in a splint until it can be seen by a doctor who can advise you on next steps. Internally, this means putting medicine into your blood stream through a needle inserted into a vein. These medicines include calcium to help the bone heal more quickly, and anticoagulants such as warfarin to prevent blood clots from forming. Internal medications may cause other problems, so discuss these risks with your doctor before agreeing to this treatment. Externally, this means covering the fracture with a rigid material (such as plaster of Paris) and securing it in place with wires or rubber bands. The material used for external fixation devices must be flexible enough to allow for normal motion of the finger, but strong enough to support the weight of the hand. This method does not involve inserting needles into your body; rather, they are placed under the skin near the injury. External fixation devices often need to be adjusted after being applied so that they fit correctly.