Sprained Finger

What is Sprained Finger?

The sprained finger is common in sports with the most common being finger sprain. Each finger has three small bones called “phalanges” separated by two interphalangeal joints. The thumb only has one interphalangeal joint and two small phalange bones. The sprain is an injury to a ligament that runs along each side of the joints. Also, you cannot bend finger and usually need a splint. In other words, the ligaments of the side of the finger get damaged.

Sprained Finger

Causes Of Finger Pain

Athletes tend to receive a sprained finger more than most people. The most common mechanism is a blow to the end of a finger caused by a fastball. The stress of the blow at the finger’s end reverberates to finger allows causes the joint to move sideways.

Symptoms Of Sprained Finger

  • Finger Pain Next To The Joint
  • Swollen Finger
  • Cannot Bend Finger
  • Instability In The Finger
  • Maybe A Rupture Of The Ligament

Common Types Of Sprained Finger

It is common in sports players, especially with ball sports.

A finger pain is classified from mild to severe and usually diagnosed at first degree, second degree, and third degree.

  • First Degree finger pain is mild because the ligaments are stretched not torn. There could be slight swollen finger and finger pain. Athletes can usually compete in sports still but must have their finger taped with another adjacent finger to prevent further injury that needs special finger treatment methods.
  • A second-degree finger pain is a result of more damage to the ligament may or joint capsule. This degree if finger sprain results in more pain and swollen finger.
  • Third Degree sprain is the most severe finger pain and could result in dislocation of the finger or a complete rupture of the ligament.

Sprained Finger Treatment

  • The sprained finger treatment depends on the degree of the sprain, for a first-degree sprain you can tape the finger to another finger for 48-72 hours and be sure to apply ice every two hours to the finger.
  • In a second-degree finger pain, there is more damage to the tissue; the swollen finger will be more and have some discoloration. As you include to use finger treatment medications every day, you will see the some of the swellings diminish, and you can begin exercises to regain the flexibility in your finger. You place the object in your hand like a tennis ball, racquetball, or a rolled sock as you are using these activities to increase the range of motion plus the strength of the muscles. Be careful as to not squeeze too hard because of constant finger pain.
  • In third-degree finger pain, you need to see a doctor or seen by a sports medicine doctor and may need surgery.

Prevention Of Finger Pain

A sprained finger is hard to prevent, but there are a few things that can help to prevent it from happening as a countermeasure for finger treatment, like the following:

  • Do Not Wear Jewelry Or Rings While Playing
  • Try Using A Closed Fist For Volleyball And Football
  • Wear Finger Braces As Needed To Minimize The Finger Pain
  • Buddy Taping
  • Finger And Hand Exercises Before Each Sport Would Be Very Good To Start Before Games’

Getting Better

The long term swollen finger is common in sprained fingers but gaining full control of the finger again can take a long time. The joint may be on a swollen finger to a year. Keeping the finger taped to allow flexibility is a way to help it roll along much faster. So as far as how long it takes, that is pretty much up to you and at the end, treatment procedures are recommended in early times.