Broken blood vessel in finger joint

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a participant's experience with a sudden swelling and bruising of the finger joint, suspected to be due to a broken blood vessel. Participants explore potential causes, implications, and the necessity of medical consultation, with a focus on health-related concerns and dietary factors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a burning sensation and swelling in their finger joint, leading to bruising without any apparent cause.
  • Another participant suggests consulting a physician due to the unknown cause and potential risks associated with blood vessel issues.
  • Some participants mention that similar occurrences typically result from trauma.
  • A suggestion is made that a vitamin K deficiency or liver damage could be contributing factors, with a recommendation for testing Prothrombin levels.
  • Several participants express concern over the abnormality of the situation and emphasize the importance of seeking medical advice.
  • One participant shares their experience with a friend who had a blood vessel rupture in the eye, indicating that such occurrences can happen in various contexts.
  • There are repeated mentions of increasing dietary vitamin K through foods like lettuce, spinach, and chard, as a potential preventive measure.
  • A participant advises documenting the condition with photographs for medical consultation and stresses the importance of not self-treating without professional guidance.
  • Concerns are raised about the implications of a blood vessel rupture occurring in more critical areas of the body.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the necessity of consulting a doctor regarding the symptoms described. However, there are differing opinions on the causes and implications of the condition, with no consensus on a definitive explanation or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the underlying causes of the symptoms, and there are references to potential dietary deficiencies and the need for medical testing. The discussion does not resolve the ambiguity surrounding the condition's nature or implications.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals experiencing unexplained bruising or swelling, those interested in dietary impacts on health, and anyone seeking insights into medical consultation practices may find this discussion relevant.

Math Is Hard
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,650
Reaction score
36
Friday morning I was sitting at my desk when I felt this burning sensation in my left hand. Suddenly the middle joint of my index finger started swelling up and it was very painful. Then the middle joint turned purple and looked like it had been hit with a hammer.

It's been two days now and the bruising is almost gone, but I am still mystified that this could happen while I was sitting there doing nothing. I googled "broken blood vessel in finger joint" and it seems that this happens to other people without injury or any apparent cause.

Ever heard of anything like that?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Nope, but I'd look it up with a physician, obviously. Since you don't know what caused it, you don't know if the same thing could happen to other vessels.
 
the only time that happens to me is from some kind of trauma.
 
Could be a vitamin K deficiency or liver damage.

A good medical doctor would test for Prothrombin.
 
Good grief MIH! That doesn't sound normal.
 
Evo said:
Good grief MIH! That doesn't sound normal.
Nothing that happens to you is normal! You are not qualified to advise the Hooper in this matter.

I am not qualified either, though it still surprises me to run across a friend who has experienced a blood-vessel rupture only to see that 1/2 of the white of their eye is bright red.
 
I think I'm going to step up my vitamin K. I'm nibbling lettuce now.
My diet has been really poor the past month. If it happens again, I'll show the doc.
 
Math Is Hard said:
I think I'm going to step up my vitamin K. I'm nibbling lettuce now.
My diet has been really poor the past month. If it happens again, I'll show the doc.
You should report it to your doctor anyway. Let him/her decide if you should come in for a check up. Ruptured blood vessels not caused by an impact or load could be a warning sign. If one hasn't had a blood test in many years, perhaps it is time.

May be it's time to add some spinach and chard to the diet.
 
  • #10
Math Is Hard said:
I think I'm going to step up my vitamin K. I'm nibbling lettuce now.
My diet has been really poor the past month. If it happens again, I'll show the doc.

MIH, that's not normal. You should really consult a doc, don't wait for it to happen again.
 
  • #11
Monique said:
MIH, that's not normal. You should really consult a doc, don't wait for it to happen again.

Right...what if it happened in a more critical place than your finger?
 
  • #12
Let me just chime in and say: go see a doctor, and in the meantime take a picture or two of it to show him or her. This could be nothing, or it could be anything up to a small break one of your phalanges, releasing blood or marrow into the joint space. This is not necessarily doom, but it is something to verify as to nature and cause. Do not begin a regimen intended to treat this without medical supervision, please.

To lisab: ...Or what if it occurs somewhere less critical, but forms a clot which symbolizes? Any way you look at this, you need a doctor to take a look at this, and if I were your doctor I would order a full differential CBC, vitamin panel, and maybe a few other tests for fun *kidding on the fun*. Do not take this as a sign of impending doom, but do not take it as some normal event.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
14K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
325K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
12K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
28K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
16K