Is it possible to sprain your finger

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Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Overview A sprain is an injury to the tough fibres ligaments that connect bone to bone. How can you care for yourself at home? If your doctor put a splint on your finger, wear the splint as directed. Don't remove it until your doctor says it's okay. If your fingers are taped together, make sure that the tape is snug. Finger sprains are commonly caused by accidents, such as a blow to the finger or falling on an outstretched hand.

They can also occur from activities that place repeated or prolonged stress on a finger joint. What are the symptoms? You may feel a tear or pop at the time of injury. This is followed by pain, swelling, and bruising in the area.

How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will ask you about your injury and examine the finger. An X-ray of your wrist and hand may be needed to check for broken bones. What is the treatment? Conservative treatment usually includes rest and immobilization for the finger.

You may need to wear a splint or have the finger "buddy-taped" to the finger next to it for approximately two weeks. Ice packs may be used for the first few days every three to four hours 10 to 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling. The X-ray is performed to ensure the joint is perfectly aligned, and that there was no fracture that occurred at the time of the injury. Once is has been reduced and splinted, care for a dislocated finger is similar to that of a sprained finger.

You should ice and elevate the injured finger after the injury. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for when to begin finger motion. When the joint is dislocated, the ligaments and the joint capsule surrounding the injured joint are torn. Sometimes, these ligaments do not heal adequately and surgery is occasionally needed to repair the injured structures. That said, most finger dislocations can be treated with a simple splint. In most cases, both a finger sprain and dislocation are easily treatable.

Usually, you'll be able to use your hand as normal within a week. It is also normal for a sprain to cause pain and discomfort for a longer period of time. If it's really bothering you, ask your healthcare provider if there is a way to reduce the discomfort. Although dislocation is a more serious injury, expect treatment similar to that of a sprain.

In both cases, don't worry if a healthcare provider recommends an X-ray—that's normal procedure for ensuring that your digit is healing properly and back to normal. Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Elfar J, Mann T. Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Hand fractures. Updated March Gamekeepers thumb skiers, ulnar collateral ligament tear. Each finger has three small bones phalanges separated by two interphalangeal joints.

The thumb is unique and has one interphalangeal joint and only two small phalange bones. A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Each of the joints located in the finger has collateral ligaments that run along each side of the joints. It is these collateral ligaments that are commonly sprained in sports.

Athletes in sports that use balls are the most at risk for a sprained finger including athletes competing in the sports of basketball, baseball, and softball.

A sprained finger is classified from mild to severe and is diagnosed as first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree sprains.

Is considered mild because the ligaments are only stretched and not torn. The athlete may complain of localized swelling and pain around the injured joint. Last, the strength of the finger is usually not affected.

In most first degree sprains, the athlete is able to continue participating in sports. However, the athlete may benefit from taping the injured finger to an adjacent finger to prevent further injury.

Results in more damage to the ligament and may also include damage to the joint capsule as well. Because the force of the injury is stronger, the resulting damage may include a partial tear of the ligament and associated joint capsule. This type of injury results in significantly more swelling and pain. The swelling may extend throughout the finger within the first few hours possibly limiting the range of motion of both joints within the finger.

The joint may also be tender to touch specifically over the injury site. The primary difference between a first and second-degree sprain is that there will be laxity in a second-degree sprain when the ligament is tested.

This means that when a ligament test is performed on an athlete with a first-degree sprain, the ligament will be tight. However, a ligament stress test performed on an athlete with a second-degree sprain will result in a visual opening of the joint line, but there will be an end point indicating that the ligament is only partially torn. Is the most severe sprain resulting in a complete rupture of the ligament.

A full ligament rupture usually occurs at its attachment, but may also occur in the middle of the ligament. In some cases, the bone can actually be pulled away from the distal attachment causing an avulsion fracture. A third-degree sprained finger is often associated with a subluxation or dislocation of the finger.