Jammed Finger

What is Jammed Finger

A jammed finger is an injury to the ligaments that support your finger bones. Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones to each other.

This injury happens when the ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range of motion (sprained). Symptoms may include:

  • Pain.
  • Swelling.
  • Discoloration and bruising around the joint.
  • Difficulty bending or straightening (extending) the finger.
  • Not being able to use the finger normally.

Treatment may include:

  • Wearing a splint to keep the finger in place while it heals.
  • Taping the injured finger to the fingers beside it (buddy taping) to keep it in place.
  • Pain medicines.
  • Physical therapy to help you regain finger strength and range of motion.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint or buddy taping:

  • Wear the splint or tape as told by your health care provider. Remove the splint or tape only as told by your health care provider.
  • Loosen the splint or tape if your finger tingles, becomes numb, or turns cold and blue.
  • Cover the splint or tape with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.
  • If you have buddy taping, ask your health care provider if it needs to be adjusted or removed and redone periodically.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

  • If directed, put ice on the injured finger:
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
  • Raise (elevate) the injured finger above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Rest your finger until your health care provider says you can move it again. Your finger may feel stiff and painful for a while.
  • Do physical therapy exercises as directed. It may help to start doing these exercises with your hand in a bowl of warm water.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have pain or swelling that gets worse or does not get better with medicine.
  • You have been treated for your jammed finger but you still cannot extend the finger.
  • You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

  • Even after loosening your splint or tape, your finger:
    • Is very red and swollen.
    • Is white or blue.
    • Feels tingly or becomes numb.

Summary

  • A jammed finger is an injury to the ligaments that support the finger bones.
  • This injury happens when the ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range of motion (sprained).
  • Treatment may include a splint or buddy taping.
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