Is it possible to sprain your knuckle

Placing your finger in ice water works, too. Elevate your hand to reduce swelling. To protect the finger during use: Buddy tape the injured finer to an adjacent finger use a self-adhesive wrap to tape above and below the finer joint - for example, index finger to middle finger or ring finger to small finger.

Seek medical care if: Your finger appears deformed. You cannot straighten your finger. The area becomes hot and inflamed and you develop a fever. Swelling and pain becomes significant or persistent. The finger becomes numb, and turns white or less pink.

Children require medical care because damage to the growth plate of a finger bone can lead to long term deformity. Try the P. P rotect the area to avoid pain and further injury. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. But don't avoid all physical activity. Instead, give yourself relative rest. Inflammation is the primary symptom of a sprained finger.

Unlike a sprained finger, a broken finger involves injury to the actual bones or joints of the finger and requires medical treatment. Broken fingers also tend to be painful, disabling, or alarming enough that most people seek medical attention soon after they occur. Broken fingers often cause the same symptoms as sprained fingers, though they tend to be more severe or exaggerated.

A broken finger may also appear disfigured, out of alignment, or abnormally bent. And most broken fingers are nearly impossible to straighten, stretch, or use without extreme pain. Most mild sprains, where the ligaments are stretched too far but are not torn, do not require medical attention. People can usually treat a mildly sprained finger at home using RICE to reduce blood flow and by extension, inflammation.

Over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications can also help reduce and manage symptoms for the first few days.

One of the easiest ways to reduce pain and swelling associated with a sprained finger is to limit the use of the finger for a few days after the initial injury. Depending on how severe the sprain is, it often helps to rest the injured finger for a few hours each day while it heals.

Apply an ice pack or compress wrapped in a cloth to the injured finger. Do not expose the skin directly to ice and do not keep the ice on the finger for more than 15 minutes at one time. If the finger becomes more painful, swollen, or darker in color, a person should stop using the ice immediately.

Ice packs are available for purchase online. Icing injuries for too long can increase inflammation and potentially freeze and damage tissues. Take a minute break between icing sessions and repeat hourly or several times daily. Gently wrap the finger with a small elastic bandage , finger compress bandage , or sports tape , all of which are available to purchase online. Wrap the bandage just tight enough to apply light pressure to the finger. Do not wrap too tightly, as the bandage could act as a tourniquet and limit the circulation.

Remove the bandage after the first 24 to 48 hours, or when the inflammation has begun to reduce significantly. Once the compression bandage has been removed, the finger should be buddy taped. Keep the finger elevated, or raised at a level above the heart. Use a sling to keep the finger raised while standing or walking. While sitting or sleeping, use a pillow to prop up the injured finger.

Especially in the first few days after the sprain occurs, over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammation medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin , and naproxen, can help make symptoms more manageable.

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. Updated August 10, Finger fractures. Updated December Common finger fractures and dislocations.

Am Fam Physician. Harvard Health Publishing. Finger dislocation. Updated April Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth.

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