Finger Sprain

What is Finger Sprain

Finger sprain is a tear or stretch in a ligament in your finger. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones to each other.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint:

  • Do notput pressure on any part of the splint until it is fully hardened. This may take many hours.
  • Wear the splint as told by your doctor. Take it off only as told by your doctor.
  • Loosen the splint if your fingers tingle, lose feeling (get numb), or turn cold and blue.
  • Keep the splint clean.

If the splint is not waterproof:

  • Do notlet it get wet.
  • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

If you have a cast:

  • Do notput pressure on any part of the cast until it is fully hardened. This may take many hours.
  • Do notstick anything inside the cast to scratch your skin.
  • Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your doctor about any concerns.
  • You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do notput lotion on the skin under the cast.
  • Keep the cast clean.
  • If the cast is not waterproof:
    • Do notlet it get wet.
    • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

  • If directed, put ice on the injured area:
    • If you have a removable splint, take it off as told by your doctor.
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag or between your cast and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
  • Gently move your fingers often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
  • Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

General instructions

  • Keep any bandages (dressings) dry until your doctor says they can be taken off.
  • Do exercises as told by your doctor or physical therapist.
  • Do notwear rings on your injured finger.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Get help right away if:

  • Your pain is not helped by medicine.
  • Your bruising or swelling gets worse.
  • Your splint or cast is damaged.
  • You lose feeling in your finger.
  • Your finger turns blue.
  • Your finger feels colder than normal when you touch it.
  • You have a fever.

Summary

  • A finger sprain is a tear or stretch in a ligament in your finger. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones to each other.
  • If you have a splint, loosen the splint if your fingers tingle, lose feeling (get numb), or turn cold and blue.
  • Gently move your fingers often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
  • If directed, put ice on the injured area.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856