Question 1

how do you treat a finger sprain?

Accepted Answer

Mostly with time: Ice, immobilization and early protected range of motion will help treat the symptoms of a finger sprain, as will nsaid's and steroids.  What the joint ultimately needs to recover from the excessive stretching of the capsule and ligaments is time to repair the damaged structures.  This takes 2-6 weeks for mild sprains and 3 or more months for severe sprains.

Question 2

how is a finger sprain normally treated?

Accepted Answer

Early motion: It is important not to immobilize a finger sprain for too long as the finger can get stiff quickly. I would suggest getting your finger moving, avoiding activities that aggravate the pain, and gradually advance your activities as tolerated. Anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen can help with the pain andputting your hand in a sink full of warm water can help get your motion back & it feels good.

Question 3

how long does a jammed finger last?

Accepted Answer

Finger: Could be a week to 10 days. Use warm hand soaks and while soaking exercise the finger to help move fluid and reduce swelling. When not soaking exercise gently by open and closing the hand.

Question 4

is there a way to help a jammed finger?

Accepted Answer

X-Ray + time: You can't tell a jammed or sprained finger from a broken finger just by looking.  You need an x-ray.  Even if you can move it, it may still be broken.  Treatment for a sprain is very different from a fracture.  Get it checked out.  If x-ray is negative, then time will usually heal the finger, but it may take 6 months or more to feel better.

Question 5

what should i do about a jammed finger?

Accepted Answer

I think so: When jam your finger, you could tear a ligament or break a bone or damage the cartilage that could to permanent stiffness.. Go and check it out.

Question 6

how much time does a jammed finger hurt?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Depending on the extent of the injury, it is not uncommon to last for 4-6 weeks.

Question 7

what should i do with a bad jammed finger?

Accepted Answer

Rest, Motrin, splint: Treatment for a jammed finger includes: rest, cold packs, & elevating that hand up to the chest. Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) for 3 days helps reduce the swelling & pain. One can "buddy splint" by taping the injured finger to the finger next to it for a few days. If the pain is severe, the finger crooked, or the range of motion significantly decreased, a primary or orthopedic doctor can evaluate & do an x-ray.

Question 8

what is the proper way to tape a jammed finger?

Accepted Answer

Buddy tape: Taping is usually not terribly effective for a " jammed finger", but when we do tape them, we will typically buddy tape the finger to the one beside it.  This involves using two thin strips of tape and taping your injured finger to the one next to it above and below the injured joint.  This allows you to still move it, but offers some limited support.

Question 9

what should i do for a jammed finger i have iced it so far

Accepted Answer

Ice : Ice is a great start.
A second thing is splinting. If you are swollen even if you do not have a fracture a bruise to the joint will casue swelling in the joint. When that happen the joint tends to stay bent at about 45 degrees because the joint capsule's maximum volume is at about that degree of bending. The swollen tissue and fluid "pushes" the joint into that position
if you dont splint and swellling is severe it could lead to a contracture.

If you have minimal swelling and can fully extend your finger and its just a little stiff at the very end of flexion then you need not worry about losong extension but have to focus on bendong

all of this is for a true jammed finger, which I am defining as a brusied or contused finger or a joint that gets "jammed" and bruised.

This is not the same for a partial or complete ligament injury, a volar plate injury, a small avulsion fracture, a more severe fracture, an intrarticular fracture etc.
The principles are the same but the treatment and folow up are different

the problem is that many times xrays are not taken or if they are one is told that there is just a "sprain" and the range of these injuries from simple bruise to severe ligament injury, to tendon rupture to intrasrticular fracture is extensive.

So heed my  general advice  for any jammed finger but if it takes more than a few days to feel better, get evaluated.

Question 10

how long is it supposed to it take for a jammed finger to heal?

Accepted Answer

Long time: A jammed finger is a significant injury to a small joint.  They are almost dislocations with partial tearing of ligaments and swelling of the joint.  They can take 6-12 months to heal.  They usually feel a lot better in a few weeks, but can remain swollen for a long time.  If you have not regained  full motion by 4-6 weeks, you should see a hand surgeon or hand therapist.

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