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INJURIES & TREATMENTS

HAND & WRIST

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A Patients Guide to Finger Sprain or “Jammed Finger”

Introduction

A jammed finger is common in sports but may also occur during regular daily activities. Even if the injured finger looks normal and can move normally, it may require medical treatment. The anatomy of the finger joint is complex, and several types of injuries can result in permanent problems if they are left undiagnosed or untreated.

Figure 1

Swollen ring finger that may be a jammed finger

Figure 2

X-ray of the finger in Figure 3, showing a dislocation, a more severe injury than a jammed finger

Figure 3

Swollen finger (x-ray shown in Figure 2) of a finger showing a fracture-dislocation, a more severe injury than a jammed finger

Figure 4

Buddy strapping is a common treatment for a jammed finger.

Causes

A jammed finger occurs when the tip of the finger is compressed towards the hand. As the finger is compressed, the ligaments supporting the joints are stretched or “sprained.” Ligaments are soft tissues that hold bone to bone. The greater the force, the more severe the sprain. If the force is strong enough, the ligaments can tear completely.

Other injuries that may occur from more violent forces include torn tendons, fractures (broken bones) and dislocations (Figures 2 and 3).

Signs and Symptoms

A jammed finger may result in pain and the inability to bend, straighten, or grip with the finger.

Imaging

For pure finger sprains, radiographs will be normal.  More severe strains which involve fractures or dislocations will show abnormalities as seen in Figure 2.

Treatment

Your doctor will need to know how and when the injury occurred. Physical examination is performed to check finger position, movement, pain and swelling. X-rays are usually taken. On occasion, other studies may be needed, such as an MRI or CT scan.

A jammed finger may be treated without or with surgery, depending on how severe the injury is. Some injuries can be treated with a splint and/or buddy strapping to the neighboring normal finger (Figure 2). These treatments are often performed with therapy at home or under the direction of a hand therapist–some severe injuries require surgery. In any case, even with simple sprains, the finger may be swollen for up to a full year. You and your hand specialist will determine the best approach for your individual situation.  Resolution typically can require up to one year and almost all patients have some residual swelling—and some loss of motion is not uncommon.  Resizing jewelry is often necessary even with successful treatment. Successful outcomes depend on the combined efforts of the hand surgeon, therapist, and you

  • Injuries & Treatment
  • Shoulder
    • Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
    • Shoulder Separation
    • Frozen Shoulder
    • Arthritis of the Shoulder
    • Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
    • Standard (Anatomic) Total Shoulder Replacement
    • Rotator Cuff Tears
    • Shoulder Fractures-Proximal Humerus
    • Clavicle (Collarbone) Fractures
    • Dislocated Shoulder and Chronic Shoulder Instability
    • SLAP: Superior Labral Tears
    • Scapula Disorders and Snapping Scapula
    • Upper Arm (Humeral Shaft) Fractures
    • Pectoralis Major Rupture (Pec Tear)
  • Hand & Wrist
    • Hand Fractures
    • Arthritis of the Hand
    • Arthritis of the Thumb
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • De Quervain’s Tendinosis
    • Distal Radius Fractures (Broken Wrist)
    • Dupuytren’s Disease
    • Ganglion Cyst of the Wrist and Hand
    • Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Wrist
    • Trigger Finger
    • Wrist Sprains
    • Triangular Fibrocartilage (TFC or TFCC) Injuries
    • Flexor Tendon Injuries
    • Extensor Tendon Injuries
      • Mallet Finger
      • Boutonniere
    • Scaphoid (Navicular) Fractures
    • Finger Sprain (or Jammed Finger)
  • Elbow
    • Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow
    • Distal Humerus Fractures of the Elbow
    • Elbow Olecranon Fractures
    • Radial Head Fractures of the Elbow
    • Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow
    • Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow
    • Upper Arm (Humeral Shaft) Fractures
    • Olecranon Bursitis
    • Elbow Dislocations
  • Nerve
    • Nerve Injuries
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow
    • Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Wrist
    • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Recent News

  • Dr. Groh Presents Shoulder Replacement for ABC Affiliate WLOS Channel 13 September 29, 2022
  • Dr. Groh Requested to Lecture at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Meeting in Las Vegas March 1, 2019
  • Dr. Groh Named Achievement Award Winner by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons March 1, 2019
  • Dr. Groh moderates Pharmaceutical Pricing Panel for UNC Chapel Hill Kenan Flagler Business School Conference November 21, 2018
  • Dr. Groh named top business MBA student and profiled in Poets and Quants November 20, 2018
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